What exactly are (plumbing) inspectors...inspecting?

Our house, purchased a few years back was a flip/complete gut renovation. Before we bought, we pulled all permits....all construction was done legit, inspected and approved. Permits were closed.

Recently, we had some work done and walls needed to be open - exposing some of the plumbing. Plumbers were amazed at the work that was done - not up to code and pretty half-assed.

So my question: why wouldn't this work fail inspection? What exactly are inspectors...inspecting?

I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to more details.

plumbing

Whether or not you paid the fee?

For starters:

jameskpolk said:

Our house, purchased a few years back was a flip/complete gut renovation. Before we bought, we pulled all permits...

"We" ?

dickf3 said:

For starters:

jameskpolk said:

Our house, purchased a few years back was a flip/complete gut renovation. Before we bought, we pulled all permits...

"We" ?

We as in us the homebuyers. Went to the municipal building to make sure all work was done with proper permits, assuming it'd be done up to code/correctly.

My comment is based on our personal experience.  We did a full bathroom renovation about two and a half years ago.  The old sink, toilet and big tub were removed.  Walls, ceiling and floor were removed.  New plumbing went in, because we were rearranging the room and where the new sink, toilet and shower stall were located.  Maplewood's plumbing inspector came twice - the first time was when all of the new inside-the-walls and under-the-floor plumbing work was done, to be looked at before being covered over.  The electrical inspection was done at that time, as well.  Then, there was a final inspection after the shower, etc. had been installed.  That's our experience with what the plumbing inspector inspects.

The problem may be that the renovator for your house skipped the first part - didn't file a permit for all of the "in-the-walls" work.  You found permits for new bathroom fixtures, and they were probably inspected when installed.  But, there's a chance that the renovator didn't have that other work looked at.

Plumbing and electric inspections consist of rough and finished as well explained above.They look at drains, vents,and water supplies while everything is exposed. The only additional bathroom insp is sometimes a "pan" inspection before the mortar bed is installed. Finish insp is more a formality although they sometimes check the hot water temp.

nohero said:

My comment is based on our personal experience.  We did a full bathroom renovation about two and a half years ago.  The old sink, toilet and big tub were removed.  Walls, ceiling and floor were removed.  New plumbing went in, because we were rearranging the room and where the new sink, toilet and shower stall were located.  Maplewood's plumbing inspector came twice - the first time was when all of the new inside-the-walls and under-the-floor plumbing work was done, to be looked at before being covered over.  The electrical inspection was done at that time, as well.  Then, there was a final inspection after the shower, etc. had been installed.  That's our experience with what the plumbing inspector inspects.

The problem may be that the renovator for your house skipped the first part - didn't file a permit for all of the "in-the-walls" work.  You found permits for new bathroom fixtures, and they were probably inspected when installed.  But, there's a chance that the renovator didn't have that other work looked at.

It could also be that work was done after the inspections, for instance replacing lines to a bathroom that was untouched during the earlier work.

jameskpolk said:

dickf3 said:

For starters:

jameskpolk said:

Our house, purchased a few years back was a flip/complete gut renovation. Before we bought, we pulled all permits...

"We" ?

We as in us the homebuyers. Went to the municipal building to make sure all work was done with proper permits, assuming it'd be done up to code/correctly.

Thank you.  For clarifying your use of the term "pull". I did think it improbable that you obtained (and paid for) the permits (for the gut renovation). It was, as you said, before you even "bought". 

The last 3 posters and I  are wondering: did your review of the permit file indicate a rough inspection of the area/work  in question?

It's still too early to ask

jameskpolk said:

Our house, purchased a few years back was a flip/complete gut renovation. 

if it's anyone we know.

I think it depends on the inspector, quite frankly. 

Story 1:  Did electrical work associated with a bath renovation.  The inspector who came for Rough in inspection was rather elderly and limping.  He first looked at the bathroom, then wanted to see the lines in the basement.  Well this room was over a tall crawl space (almost tall enough to stand) - once the inspector saw that - he asked how far back the bath was,  waved his hand, said he couldn't get back there and issued the permit.

Story 2:  rough in plumbing for  bath.  Inspector asked who the plumber was (well known in our towns for good work), just signed permit without looking at anything.

Currently dealing with inspections for multiple renovations.  Maybe it's the luck of the draw but all inspectors happened to be full time town employees - they seem to be more thorough than the part timers, IMO.

Millburn ...  new furnace was installed about 10 years ago. Inspector certified the work. New plumber came in and commented on shoddy work -- pipes were hanging, from the basement ceiling, unsecured.  New plumber questioned how this got by the inspector.

I just finished a project in another local town- was very difficult getting it through the town.  The plumbing inspector is not even a plumber!

Is it possible the rough plumbing enclosed in the walls was installed prior to the flip?  Perhaps the flippers simply changed fixtures and what has since been discovered pre-dates the flip and associated inspections?

alias said:

Is it possible the rough plumbing enclosed in the walls was installed prior to the flip?  Perhaps the flippers simply changed fixtures and what has since been discovered pre-dates the flip and associated inspections?

Yes! It's conceivable. Though it would belie the OP's "complete gut renovation". 

Oh I do wish he would return w/some f/u. This could be the Discussion of the Month.