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Construction Shortcuts and Oversights

By Steven L. Smith

Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

July 25, 2008 02:40 AM

When an inspector checks a new home it is sometimes amazing what the contractor or his sub-contractors failed to take into account, or what tasks are only half done. Below is a good example.

The wise sages knew that, in that location, the water heater should have a pan under it. Fact is, it was in such a spot that draining the pan through the exterior wall would be a piece of cake compared to some places where it would take effort. The problem -- nobody bothered to make the hole in the wall and install a drain line. As is, when that tank leaks, there is going to be interior damage. The floor itself is concrete but this cubby-hole has sheet rock all around it. Sheet rock does not respond well to flooding.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

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Betina Foreman

WJK Realty - Austin, TX

Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

I always advise clients to have a home inspected, even the new construction. Thanks for the reminder that it is always the 'right' thing to do!

Betina

Jul 25, 2008 02:54 AM

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Good for you. That is the smart thing to do.

Jul 25, 2008 03:05 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Steve you are forgetting something----they would have been late for lunch if they had gone the extra step to install the actual drain.

Jul 25, 2008 04:06 AM

Barbara S. Duncan

RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR

GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Just when I thought I knew everything about water heaters, you bring it up again. You are infatuated with stinging things and water heaters. But I love you anyway. lol

Jul 25, 2008 07:29 AM

Barbara,

I am more into the stinging stuff really. Charlie is the guy infatuated with his plumbing.

Jul 25, 2008 08:15 AM

Sean Allen

International Financing Solutions - Fort Myers, FL

International Financing Solutions

HHmm, at least they set the water heater in the pan. I bet they put it in the pan and then realized it was time for a lunch break and then totally forgot about the drain line.

Jul 25, 2008 11:47 AM

Sean,

You and Charlie go to the same school of lunch?

Jul 25, 2008 11:52 AM

Construction Shortcuts and Oversights

Comments(7)

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