How professional are these plumbing waste and vents?

**joallen001** · 10-24-2012, 06:43 PM

First off thanks to everyone for all the great information on this forum. I have read a lot of great information on this site over the past few months. I have attached several pictures of a recent drain and vent install. The installation is on a remodel that was completely gutted. I will be running all the water lines with uponor. I will say the drain and vents were not installed by me. A local plumber was hired to do this. I am a little worried about the work that was done. We even had a big discussion on vents. The plumber wanted to stub all the vents up in the attic and vent them there. I disagreed and said it was the wrong way to do it. The argued and said they do it all the time. I said if people do this all the time then why do I see vents stubbed out of the roof on every new house that is built. I will try to give details on each picture below. I am really concerned about how these drains and vents were done.
The first two photos show the washer box drain going down with just a 90 fitting. I thought you had to have a p-trap within 30" on this. Also there is no vent. I thought you had to vent the washer. Also the kitchen has no vent, thought it had to be vented also.
The third photo is showing the p-trap for the washer box. The other drain you see there is for a bathroom sink.
The fourth picture shows how far the washer drain really runs before it even goes into the p-trap. Its hard to see but the p-trap is to the left of the stairs. All the pipe to the right is coming off the washer drain, goes behind the stairs, then into the trap.

**joallen001** · 10-24-2012, 07:35 PM

The next few pictures show some of the other drains. The first picture shows the toilet and vanity drain. The only vent in this bathroom is on the vanity which is upstream of the shower and toilet.
The second picture is showing the same toilet and vanity drain from a different view with clean out.
The third pic shows the shower draining it downstream of the toilet.
Thanks for any comments and for taking the time to analyze the pictures.

Basically the entire house is 2 full baths and each bath has a 2" vent on the vanity.

**johnjh2o1** · 10-24-2012, 08:18 PM

I have seen nothing that would be considered a vent. The guy is a hack, and doesn't have a clue.

John

**joallen001** · 10-24-2012, 08:26 PM

Yes the only vents are in the bathrooms. I should of took some pics above the floor.

Originally Posted by johnjh2o1

I have seen nothing that would be considered a vent. The guy is a hack, and doesn't have a clue.

John

**johnjh2o1** · 10-24-2012, 09:01 PM

The lack of vents are not the only things that are wrong. He has san. tees on there sides. No vent on the washer. Plus the waste line on the washer should be 2" not 1-1/2". I sure hope you haven't paid him.

John

**kreemoweet** · 10-24-2012, 10:46 PM

Why are you even calling this guy a "plumber"? This guy really should be in jail. He is a fraud and a menace to public health.

**Gary Swart** · 10-24-2012, 11:56 PM

It makes me wonder if you selected a handyman for this job. A handyman will work much cheaper that a licensed plumber, so it is tempting. Did this guy pull a permit and was the work inspected? My guess is no one both counts. On the positive side, you at least are smart enough to suspect a rat.

hj · 10-25-2012, 06:52 AM

There is so little, if anything, about that system which is proper that it should be cut out and redone to make it right. Every one of those tees in a horizontal drain line are incorrect and would never have passed an inspection. He also has no clue about venting. You might want to call your local building department to have them look at it and addess the capabilities of your "plumber". If he is a licensed plumbing contractor the license should be revoked and if he is not, then the Business and Professions Code, section 7031 states that if you do not pay him, the courts will not listen to his suit.

**Terry** · 10-25-2012, 09:04 AM

No standpipe receptor for any clothes washer standpipe shall extend more then thirty (30) inches or less then eighteen (18) inches above it's trap. No trap for any clothes washer standpipe shall be installed below the floor, but shall be roughed in not less then six (6) inches and more then eighteen (18) above the floor

All horizontal fittings below the floor level should be wyes or combos.
Santee fittings can be installed in the vertical position.
Vents extend through the roof. Individual vents can tie back together at 6" above the flood level. In most cases, this would be at 42" above the floor.
A lav is vented within 42"
1.5" trap arm within 42"
2.0" trap arm within 60"

Most of the 90 bends in the photos are wrong too.
Long turn 90 on the horizontal, Long turn from vertical to horizontal.
Medium turn from horizontal to vertical is okay.

Here is a nice link to Bert Polk's plumbing tips

Tennessee uses the 2006 IPC

**joallen001** · 10-25-2012, 11:05 AM

Thanks for all the comments. They are definately not handymen. It is two brothers that strictly do plumbing. I wont mention any names but they work out of a van lettered with all there plumbing business info on it. No permit was required and there are no inspections. I would like to here thoughts on all the issues that I can bring up to the plumber. But then again that may not matter since they say they are the professional plumbers and you can vent into an attic. Almost like fighting a losing battle since I do not do plumbing as my profession. They act as though I dont know what I am talking about.

**Terry** · 10-25-2012, 11:12 AM

No permit was required and there are no inspections.

Really? That explains how they can keep fooling homeowners.
Call the city and talk to the inspector there.

**joallen001** · 10-25-2012, 11:15 AM

Yes. Built a duplex about two years ago. You pay to have a water meter set and a septic permit is required to get the power cut on. The only inspection we have here is on the electrical. From looking at the pics the toilet should have a combo right? When I first looked at it I thought that is way to tight of a turn. Notice they put the clean out right there with it.

**Gary Swart** · 10-25-2012, 02:31 PM

I find it hard to believe there is no plumbing permits or inspections in Tennessee. You say these guy work out of a van with their names on the side, but do they have a license? If you haven't already paid them, don't, and if you have consult an attorney and sue them.

**wjcandee** · 10-25-2012, 03:17 PM

Do you live in an unincorporated area of your county? I'm just a little confused because at some level there should be a responsible authority even if the authority doesn't mandate an inspection. At a minimum, there is a state-level regulating authority. I am so appalled by this thread that I'm happy to noodle around a little bit and see if I can't find the appropriate authority to complain to, if you're comfortable sharing a little more geographic info (i.e. name of town and county).

**joallen001** · 10-25-2012, 05:32 PM

If a permit or inspection is required I am not aware of it. I dont see how it would be possible to build a new home without being questioned for a permit or a inspection. I am not sure if the plumbers have a license but I see them working in homes all the time. If inspections or permits were required you would think the work would be done right. The location is Lawrence County TN. The plumbers have been paid. Who would I call to have the work inspected or looked at. Is there a way to force them to fix the plumbing the right way?