Plumbing Wall Penetrations - Mind the Gap!

At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, we frequently see where plumbing drain/waste/vent systems penetrate the rear of a cabinet enclosure and the installation is poorly done.  In the picture shown the installation basically involved simply knocking a hole in the back of the cabinet and working the piping through.

It is functional as far as the plumbing and the cabinet are concerned but the problem is this shoddy workmanship provides an easy path for rodents to enter the building.  The hole for the plumbing penetration should be no larger than is required for the penetration and then a plastic or metal flange installed that surrounds the pipe and covers the opening.

 Richard

Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a residential (home) and commercial building inspection company serving Middle Tennessee including Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville, Dickson, Belle Meade, Columbia, Spring Hill and more!  In addition to building inspections HABITEC offers Environmental Services for mold assessments, radon testing and water quality analysis.  Additional information about HABITEC can be found on our website at www.habitecinspections.com, or call 615-376-2753.