RLC Engineering, LLC.

South Carolina

Residential Construction Standards

PLUMBING STANDARDS

Background

Plumbing system installation is performed by licensed contractors in accordance with detailed plumbing code requirements. These code requirements were established primarily for individual and public health reasons.

Common Defects or Problems:

1. Leakage of any kind from piping
2. Faucet leak or valve leak
3. Water pipe banging/water hammer
4. Fixtures do not hold water
5. Cracking, scratches or chipping of porcelain, fiberglass surfaces or faucets
6. Stopped-up sewers, fixtures, and drains
7. Waste disposal unit does not operate properly
8. Sump pump does not operate.
9. Inadequate flushing of toilets
10. Plumbing pipes freeze and burst
11. Condensation (sweating) of pipes
12. Defective appliance or fixtures supplied by owner.

1. Common Defect or Problem     Leakage of any kind from piping
   

   Performance Standard     No leaks of any kind should exist in any soil, waste, vent or water pipe. Condensation on pipes or sweating fixtures does not constitute a leak.

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder shall make necessary repairs to eliminate leakage.

   Craig's Comments:   None

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2. Common Defect or Problem     Faucet leak or valve leak.

   Performance Standard    No valve or faucet should leak.

   Builder Repair Responsibility    Builder shall repair or replace the leaking faucet or valve. Washer or cartridge replacement is a homeowner's responsibility after the first year.
   

   Craig's Comments:    None.

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3. Common Defect or Problem     Water pipe banging/water hammer.

   Performance Standard    There can be some instances when the electric valves on appliances or single control valves are shut off fast, which can cause some banging. All noises due to water flow and pipe expansion cannot be removed.
   

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder is responsible to have pipes fastened properly.
   

   Craig's Comments:    Water hammer can cause excessive pressure in pipes and create leaks. If water hammer is occuring, the situation should be corrected .Many plumbers install anti-hammer devices at each faucet or fixture.

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4. Common Defect or Problem     Fixtures do not hold water.

   Performance Standard     Stoppers on fixtures should retain water for a sufficient length of time to accomplish the fixture's intended use.
   

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder to correct until fixture holds water to meet Performance Standard.
   

   Craig's Comments:     None

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5. Common Defect or Problem    Cracking, scratches or chipping of porcelain, fiberglass surfaces or faucets.

   Performance Standard     Chips, cracks and scratches on surfaces of bathtubs, kitchen sinks and faucets can occur when surfaces is hit with sharp or heavy objects.

   Builder Repair Responsibility    Builder shall repair any fixture or fitting which is outside acceptable standards as defined by the manufacturer. Builder will not be responsible for repairs unless damage has been reported to builder in writing at preoccupancy inspection prior to closing.
   

   Craig's Comments:     None.

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6. Common Defect or Problem     Stopped-up sewers, fixtures, and drains.

   Performance Standard     Sewers, fixtures, and drains should operate properly to accomplish their intended function.
   

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder will not be responsible for sewers, fixtures, and drains, which are clogged through natural causes or the homeowner's negligence. If a problem occurs, the homeowner should consult builder for a proper course of action. Where defective construction is shown to be the cause, builder will assume the cost of the repair. Where homeowner negligence is shown to be the cause, the homeowner shall assume all repair costs.
   

   Craig's Comments:     None

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7. Common Defect or Problem     Waste disposal unit does not operate properly.

   Performance Standard     Disposal unit must accomplish its intended function.

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder will repair any defective fixture or fitting which does not meet acceptable standards, as defined by the manufacturer, unless caused by homeowner negligence.

   Craig's Comments:     None.

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8. Common Defect or Problem     Sump pump does not operate.

   Performance Standard     Sump pump should reasonably be expected to perform for a one-year period satisfactorily, unless unusual conditions such as underground springs or high water tables are encountered. Owner is responsible for maintaining a proper grade and downspout extensions should be used to keep water from pooling near foundation.
   

   Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder shall repair or replace malfunctioning sump pump, except under unusual conditions.
   

   Craig's Comments:     If there are unusual conditions, it seems to me that the builder should have addressed them during construction. If a sump pump works that much, there should be some other way to address the water problem.

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9. Common Defect or Problem     Inadequate flushing of toilets.

   Performance Standard     It is not unusual for a toilet to be flushed twice due to energy conservation fixtures.

   Builder Repair Responsibility     None, unless it is a manufacturer's defect or plumbing clog which is the cause.
   

   Craig's Comments:     Some toilets clear the bowl much better than others. But expect to pay much more for them as well.

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10. Common Defect or Problem     Plumbing pipes freeze and burst.

    Performance Standard     Drain, waste, and vent, and water pipes shall be adequately protected, as required by applicable code, during normally anticipated cold weather, and as defined in accordance with ASHRAE design temperatures, to prevent freezing.
    

    Builder Repair Responsibility     Builder will correct situations not meeting the code. It is the homeowner's responsibility to drain or otherwise protect lines and exterior faucets and hose bibs even if they have an anti-siphon valve attached) exposed to freezing temperatures.

    Craig's Comments:     None.

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11. Common Defect or Problem     Condensation (sweating) of pipes.

    Performance Standard     Condensation (sweating) is normal and may occur most often in well water systems due to the extreme cold temperature (45-50 degree of water) of well water and humid basements.

    Builder Repair Responsibility     None, unless pipe is leaking. A dehumidifier and pipe and tank insulation can be added by the owner.
    

    Craig's Comments:     None.

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12. Common Defect or Problem     Defective appliance or fixtures supplied by owner.

    Performance Standard     Any appliances or fixtures supplied by the owner will not be warranted for leakage, etc. by the builder. There may be some instances where a plumber will not install an owner's fixtures if the fittings are not proper.

    Builder Repair Responsibility     None.
    

    Craig's Comments:    None.

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Last Update: 05/20/2003