I like to think that almost anyone could look at the following picture of a tub drain and know that something is just not right with it. When one looks at their tub drain they should never see the threads and gasket that shows inside this drain. Most tubs have a polished chrome or brass fitting (that the stopper sits on) that threads into the threaded portion that shows in the picture. It is what makes the gasket tight against the bottom of the tub and keeps the whole thing from leaking at the connection. It makes the water glug down the drain instead of around the drain. Given that this tub was over finished space below, I expected to find damage to the ceiling below. It was not much of a surprise to find my suspicions confirmed by moisture meter when I checked the space below. Charles Buell
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Thank for sharing. That looks like something that could be easily overlooked.
I love these posts. Great information. Have a great week...
Hi Charles, I wonder how long that leak went undetected downstairs. Surprised that the ceiling below wasn't damaged enough to see without a meter. Oh well, you can't keep some people from letting their common sense drain away.
Jay, this would actually be quite hard to miss as an inspector because we have to fill the tub to inspect it.
Pat, thanks
Frank, in this case the tub was positioned such that the drain was not actually above the ceiling but was more over the wall below----so it was the wall that tested as being wet----and yes the surface of the drywall did give it away a little without the meter.
This may be obvious to an inspector or a plumber and you could add in a few more trades people, but as long as the water stayed in the tub (if they were bathers) and as long as the water ran out of the tub, I don't think most homeowners would know or care something was wrong. More likely they would assume the wet wall has a source other than the tub drain, possible water leaking to the floor around the shower curtain, or perhaps from outside.
My favorite inspectors are the one's that teach me and my clients things we should know. Keep up the good work Charles! Rest assured I will point Seattle-bound clients to you!
Glenn in this case they apparently only used the tub as a shower so no one apparently noticed that the tub would not hold water. Most of the water still went down the drain. In this case we also have to add the "rental" factor into the equation:)
Vic, thanks for your kind words
Such great information Charles. Your photos explaining your points are always right on the mark too.
Thank you my friend for sharing such vital information with us...and the world!
I wonder how long this went on in that home. That window below must have been soaked from all the water. Think of all the bugs that are in there as well.
Craig, thanks---not sure how "vital" this info is----but you make me laugh about it anyway:)
Robert----given the lack of serious damage below I got the sense that this had not been going on for very long----or they were lucky and most of the water was still going down the drain in spite of the missing parts.
Charles-
Either you are inspecting two dozen homes a day, or you are in a dalapidated neighborhood. Every day it is something shocking.
Rich
Charles - As old as the tub appears to be one would think that by now the water would have learned where it's supposed to go.
Rich, it helps when lots of the issues are in the same house:)
John, I am old enough to know better but I still don't :)
Charles, that'a another great abstract painting in the making!
Mr Charles,
I have to be very careful when caught in whirlpools that I do not end up going down said drain.
Nutsy
Hello Charles,
Thanks for the info. It is nice of you to pass on tips that can help us all as home owners, buyers, or sellers. Have a great week!:)
Dawn
Nutsy, Why be careful? Away would go our troubles down the drain.
Barbara, it is sort of hard to see what one is looking at at first
Nutsy, you should go for it any way
Dawn, thanks
Kate, I think he would find a lot of opportunities "down under"
So, instead of threads in a drain, what would you rather see? Twine? Rope? Braided steel?
I lived right on the equator for a while and can tell you that there water does not go around a drain. It goes straight down! Really! No glug though...
Jay, usually just a "hair-rat". Don't you love it when you pull out the stopper and Nutsy's tail is on the end?
Mr Charles,
You are, for a man who does not bathe, being very crude yet again.]
Nutsy
Nutsy, but I shower a lot