One of the things I like to do in my Inspection Reports when writing about concerns involving water leaks is to give a rough “visual idea” as to what the issues are by doing a color “overlay” of the issue. Whether it is suspected water behind the tiles of a tub/shower enclosure, water under the vinyl floor around a toilet, or an improperly installed sink trap, I think these pictures help get the point across----and worth the few seconds it takes me to do it. The particular defect that I am going to discuss today, of an improperly installed sink trap, is sometimes difficult to convey to the buyer just why the installation is wrong----after all----water is going down the drain. This first picture shows a normal trap and the overlay shows the amount of water that is in a properly installed trap. The small amount of water in the trap is easily pushed over the dam and down the drain. This next picture shows an improperly installed trap with an overlay that shows the amount of water trapped in the pipes. From the picture you can imagine the extra force necessary to push all that water out of the trap. The result is poor drainage with the likelihood of clogging over time. Sure it will still work----just not as well as the first picture. Charles Buell
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Well, I for one am delighted to live and work in your area of service and I look forward to color enhanced inspection reports.
Charles, this is so clear that even a girl could understand it! Great idea!
Did Patricia just say that lol
Excellent visusls, any one can clearly see the difference so explaining should be a breeze
Again a picture is worth 1000 words
Enjoy the day
Glenn, you can bet you will get them too---if necessary:)
Pat, I would not have said it QUITE like that :)
Don, thanks----Pat is fearless :)
LIke Patricia....i appreciate this as it makes it easier to understand so I can explain it to a client!
thanks for sharing!!!
So many things to know and so little time to learn...
Have a great and successful day,
Paul
Deborah---hopefully:)
Paul---ain't that the truth
I've never seen the color overlay implemented in an inspection report before. I think it's a wonderful visual aid to help buyers understand the points you're stressing.
Well done Charles!
I've never seen the color overlay implemented in an inspection report before. I think it's a wonderful visual aid to help buyers understand the points you're stressing.
Well done Charles!
Two Craigs for the price of one----is this by proxy?
Charles - excellent illustration and thanks for sharing this information. I like the color over lay as well!
As always Charles, your posts are so informative. I think over the course of years in this business, I've either seen or heard about every situation one can come up with under a sink! My favorite is the homeowner who used bailing wire to hold a garbage disposal attached to a sink, rather than bolting or screwing it together! That same homeowner had pet rabbits, which had the run of the house. You can imagine the condition of the home! Believe it or not, the house sold right away, to a young woman, with family in the construction business. . .Thank goodness for that:-)
I like the overalay, Charles. I think I may implement that in my reports.
Thanks for the idea.
Rich
Charles, it does make it easier to see the problem!
Huh. I never even knew this was a possible problem! Thanks for the heads up, Charles!
Debi
Sharon, I have been doing these overlays for 6 years---only takes a few seconds to do it (usually---sometimes I get "carried away" :)
Mryl, the thought of rabbits having the run of the house is worse than a certain squirrel that shows up here in the rain.
Rich, what software do you use? In excel or word it is really easy to do.
Tony and Darcy, thanks----I think so too
Debi, some of the configurations that people come up with is amazing----as long as the water goes down most people figure they got it right.
Mr Charles,
All of that overlay business is oh so silly. It is over my head and cut my ears off.
Nutsy
I can get that! And to think that all the more pressure is need to carry thing out is really clear on the second one. It's so jerry rig looking.
I could not help but notice the infamous flexible connector. I don't know why they even bother making these items...
Helping you, help others, live their American dream...
Aren't you supposed to take the blue plastic wrap off that new stuff after installation?
Oh, and I agree with Michael.
Nutsy, 99 percent of everything is over your head
Carla---but done so "neatly"
Michael all kinds of things get made to compensate for simple lack of planning ahead :)
Jay, dang----you are so right :)
I use Inspection Report Creator, but this can easily be done in Photoshop, prior to uploading.
Rich
Rich, I checked out the Inspection Report Creator website----looks like one of the better report writing software----hadn't seen it before----looks pretty adaptable----looks Word based?
Think of all the gook (technical word) trapped in there from that disposal!
What a great idea....it's so much better to be able to show them this way. I love it...will mention/show it to my inspector and make a "suggestion"
Lyn, very accurate word too :)
Karen----uh oh----I am going to be in trouble now :)
I love it. It is actually excel based. I use it on my palm and my netbook. I have been pleased.
Are the Excel "drawing" tool bar and "picture" tool bars available to you? I do all my cropping and notes and overlays right in my template----and let the PDF do all the picture downsizing when I am all done.
Charles, thanks for the visuals and explanation of the improperly installed sink traps that can cause drainage problems....WOW I learned something today....well I ususally do when I am on AR.
Color overlays! What a great way to make a point so very clear. I'm with Pat -- even I can deduce the problem and don't have to check in a reference manual.
Sue of Robin and Sue
Rebecca, it is a great place to find out all kinds of things. Glad you liked this one.
Sue of Robin and Sue, thanks----glad you found this useful.
Yes, they are. I will give it a try.