The other day I did an inspection for a renter that was considering buying the home they were renting. I have done a few of these before and find it One of their concerns was that whenever they flushed the master bathroom toilet---not only did the toilet make a lot of noise when flushed, but the water siphoned out of the sink and shower traps----or tried to anyway. I said I would check it out and suspected some sort of venting issue. When I inspected the attic this is what I found. Instead of the vents going through the roof all three vents were tied together and capped off. As a result, when the toilet was flushed, it was attempting to “vent” through the sink drain and the shower drain resulting in the siphoning. One of the parties asked me how this could have ever pasted the city inspection. I simply said that it would be unusual for a city inspector to go in the attic, and added that this is just one of the many examples of why I have a job. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
often helpful having the tenant being there as they can often provide “perspective” on concerns that I otherwise might not be able to get additional information about.
In talking to the seller, they echoed the tenants concerns and stated that it had always been that way----since it was built three years ago.
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Charles,
Well...that is just terrible....that kind of stuff just amazes me...how do people sleep at night!
Seriously? Who does that!? Does that mean that if the tub overflows, the toilet will to?? :)
Charles, Isn’t that interesting. Cities charge for permit fees and inspections and yet do not fully perform what needs to be done in order to have the building permit actually mean anything. Inspections are so important I actually will not represent a client who does not agree to get one!
Just to much trouble to cut a hole in the roof, maybe the roofer was supposed to do that part.
Lori, fortunately not a very difficult fix
Michael, no---just a siphoning issue
Kathleen, the permit fees are so small they could never possibly be sufficient to properly inspect everything.
Dennis----it was probably raining on that day:)
I don't understand how this person got away with doing a job like this. Kudos to the renter by having had an inspection performed on this property.
at least this appears to be a fairly inexpensive fix.... but geeeeeeze!
I had this happen the other day in a public bathroom. I went out and told the receptionist and she asked if she looked like a plumber...
Kymberly, this was most likely the easiest way for the plumber to put the system under test for leaks----they just forgot to go back and un-cap it and run it through the roof
Alan---very easy
Paul, so did she look like a plumber? :)
Another successful inspection - you must be flushed with success. But I am just venting.
Gene, and I am completely drained reading your post----could just be a pipe dream though
Or why don't they just... Well now, I probably shouldn't be venting my crappy alternative on your post. Yes, just flush that idea away.
Charles - Job security. Just remember, you'd have to get a "real" job if builders, flippers, remodelers, and "handymen" knew what they were doing?
Kate, all flushed----only clogged a little
John, I have suceeded in avoiding having a "real" job my whole life :)
CB, there are so many ways to discuss this. But alas, I must pass. heheh
Sure seems like a draining experience. I'm attending a Home Inspect tomorrow and hopefully all will flow well.
Sue of Robin and Sue
C'mon! That keeps the sewer gas out of the attic!
By the way, at the one placed I lived in South America that had an indoor toilet, it looked just like that (sans the toilet seat - they don't use toilet seats there)! We, however, had to fill the tank with water from the creek nearby... only then would it flush!
Kate, Steve "passes" all the time----hard to take:)
Sue, may the flow be with you
Jay, but if we let sewer gases into the attic then I have to put up a no smoking sign!
I wonder who the installer was, must have been his first day on the job.
Mr Charles,
That is often caused when a rat is caught in the sewer vent pipe. Probably your problem there.
Nutsy
Carl and Ceil, see my comment to Kimberly in comment #9
Nutsy, in this case I am pretty sure it was a squirrel aka pipe cleaner.
Nah, in a few years that methane turns to CO2 and it's nonflammable! Of course, there's attic venting I suspect!
Mr Charles,
A proper attic inspection would have found that problem quickly. I hope you know that.
Nutsy
Great post as usual! That's very bad, but any easy fix!
Thanks for sharing,
Adam
As we well know most city inspectors do not carry ladders. Hard to get up in an attic without one.
Jay, there is even me venting
Nutsy, really?
Adam, thanks for stopping by
James, some jurisdictions get around that by requiring that the builder "provide access" to all areas that need inspecting----no ladder in place----no look.
Is there any roof ventilation ? I noticed the dark color of the rafters and skip sheathing; primarily towards the rear left in the photo.
That toilet looks like it should be in a musuem !
Kevin, just old wood in the shadows----ventilation was fine.
They were going to come back and finish the job. Someday!
Troy, yup----pretty easy to forget
Charles,
Great Find! Plumbing always seems to get some funky work.
Love the old Water Closet shot.
Don
Don, 1901----very cool old "Victorian" style house. This was an abandoned maids quarters in the basement.