Inspector Reviewing a Rough-In With Multiple Defects
You are a Plumbing Inspector conducting a rough-in inspection on a new two-story single-family home. You observe: a 3-inch soil stack with a horizontal offset of about 4 feet between floors using two 90-degree fittings; a 2-inch vent that terminates in the attic about 4 feet below the roof deck; a water heater TPR valve discharging through a flexible tube into a floor drain with no air gap; and a gas water heater in a closet with a louvered door but no combustion air opening to the exterior. The installing journeyman says the previous inspector passed similar work on the same street and asks you to 'give it a pass' because drywall is scheduled tomorrow.
1. Identify the code concerns you would cite and whether you can approve the rough-in.
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You cannot approve as-is. Concerns to cite (subject to the locally adopted code edition):
- Soil stack offset - a horizontal offset between floors using two 90-degree fittings is generally not permitted; offsets typically require appropriate fittings (e.g., wyes and 45s) and may require additional venting. Verify against the code's stack/offset provisions.
- Vent terminating in the attic - a vent must terminate outdoors above the roof, not in the attic. This is a clear defect.
- TPR discharge - must discharge through an air gap or approved receptor; a flexible tube into a floor drain without an air gap is improper. Verify material and termination.
- Combustion air - a gas water heater in a closet with only a louvered door may not have adequate combustion air; verify the code's combustion-air requirements and whether the louvered door provides sufficient free area or an exterior opening is required.
Prior approvals on other homes do not bind you; each inspection stands on its own. Issue a correction notice listing each item.
2. The installer cites a prior inspector's approval and the drywall schedule. How do you respond?
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Respond professionally and firmly:
- Prior approvals do not establish a code interpretation that binds you; if earlier work was passed in error, that does not make this work compliant.
- The drywall schedule is not a basis to approve noncompliant work; covering defects makes correction harder and more expensive.
- Provide a written correction notice with each item, the code basis, and a re-inspection path.
- Offer to re-inspect promptly once corrections are made so the schedule can recover.
Document the conversation and the notice. Consistency and a written record protect the inspection program and give the contractor a clear path forward.
3. What must the contractor correct before you reinspect, and what will you check?
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Required corrections:
- Rework the stack offset with approved fittings and verify any additional venting required.
- Extend the vent to terminate outdoors above the roof per code.
- Correct the TPR discharge to an approved air gap/receptor with proper material and slope.
- Provide code-compliant combustion air for the gas water heater (verify louvered door free area or add exterior combustion-air opening).
On reinspection, verify each item against the adopted code, confirm no new defects were introduced, and document pass/fail. Do not approve based on the contractor's assurance alone; visual verification of each correction is required.