When homeowners have the opportunity to do things themselves, they often choose the path of least resistance. Property renovators sometimes do the same. Plumbing is a great example, especially when it involves putting in a new sink and countertop. Invariably I'll find a portion of the sink drain that looks like the following:

This is the infamous plastic accordion drain connector. The problem here, though, is that, to the best of my knowledge as of 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time on 12/8/08, there isn't a code anywhere that allows this type of drain connector. The other problem is that we put a lot of gunk, such as hair and toothpaste, down our sinks. That accordion surface has a greater propensity for trapping all that gunk and causing clogs. That's why we use smooth drain pipes.

Just because they sell it doesn't mean you should buy it.

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Some of Russel's other blog entries

1. 12 reasons why I won't comment on your blogs
2. How a Seller can cancel the purchase contract during the home inspection
3. What do you do when the listing agent is, uh, blind maybe?
4. What do you do when deceit is obvious? (chapter two)
5. The garage is not a playground.
6. Need to vent? Feel free to vent (your attic) here.
7. That just ain't the way we do it out here, Sonny Boy
8. Not responsible for advice not taken
9. Sometimes it's just a question of semantics and definitions
10. A true real estate nightmare affecting hundreds of people
11. If the shower head isn't working, just turn up the water pressure
12. I purposefully burned a bridge yesterday
13. What part of that don't you understand? (Reading 101, English 101, & Spanish 101)
14. Out of sight, out of mind, skip the work, charge for it
15. "How much will it cost?" "$399 plus a $100 aggravation surcharge."
16. In a home inspection, if the thing works, the thing works
17. What do you do when deceit is obvious?
18. Sometimes it really is that simple (electric again)
19. Sometimes it really is that simple (attic)
20. Did you put that on the disclosure form? "Oh, we forgot."