Plumbing & Sewer Articles
Plumbing in Portland and SW Washington homes: galvanized supply and drain pipe, common failures, and what an inspection can point to.
Hot Water Above 120 Degrees: Why Russ Measures It and What to Do About It
Hot water measured above 120 degrees F came up at 47 of Russ's inspections. Why 120 is the usual target, who's most at risk, and how it gets...
Dishwasher Drains: The High Loop, the Air Gap and Why Your Inspector Looked Under the Sink
A dishwasher drain hose needs a high loop or an air gap so sink water can't flow back...
Hose Bib Anti-Siphon Valves, Sprinkler Backflow and Keeping Drinking Water Clean
A garden hose left in a bucket can pull dirty water back into the house pipes. Why Russ...
The Water Heater Relief Valve and Its Discharge Pipe: Missing, Capped, Uphill or Too Small
The TPR valve is the water heater's last safety device. Missing, capped, undersized and uphill discharge pipes Russ...
Loose Toilets and Leaks at the Base: Wax Rings, Flanges and Soft Subfloors
A toilet that rocks has usually broken its wax seal. What Russ finds at the base: loose toilets,...
S-Traps, Drain Vents and Gurgling Drains: Why a Sink Needs Air
An S-trap under a sink can siphon itself dry and let sewer gas in. How drain venting works,...
Water Heater Seismic Straps: Missing, Loose, in the Wrong Place or Anchored to Nothing
Oregon and Washington require two seismic straps on a water heater. Where they go, what Russ finds instead,...
Water Pressure Over 80 PSI: Pressure Regulators, Expansion Tanks and What High Pressure Does
Russ measures water pressure on every inspection, and 42 houses read above 80 psi. What high pressure does...
Leaky Tub Diverters, Tub Spouts and Shower Arms: Small Bathroom Leaks Russ Finds Often
Russ found leaking tub diverters, unsealed tub spouts and loose or dripping shower arms at 86 houses. What...
Uninsulated Water Pipes in Crawlspaces and Garages: Freeze Risk in a Northwest Cold Snap
Russ found uninsulated water pipes at 71 houses, mostly in crawlspaces. Why a Portland cold snap catches them...