Do you fill tubs up to check the overflow?

[Jerry B. Yost]

I need help, I have differing opinions from other inspectors. I filled a tub that flowed into the overflow, and the water flowed out between the brick veneer and the slab.
Some do this some don't.

Jerry Yost
TREC 9097
www.grhi.info

[Dale Duffy]

That is Russian roulette.....I don't.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

No I do not . How much time do you take to do an inspection .
Now just think there are three tubs .
Now the time goes up .
How about if they are on a well and you have run a well dry that never runs out of water .
Do you call the tank truck to bring water.
Do you know how to prime a pump.
How about the septic tank field is this one designed for so much water at once .
I run a token amount to find out the taps are not reversed and to make sure the shower is working . Many years ± and no complaints yet.
Roy Cooke

[Jae Williams]

Bathtub, shower, and sink overflows are not tested for leaks because of water damage that could result from such testing. Most plumbing for the overflow is concealed within the walls and cannot be inspected properly.

[whandley]

I always do, if there's an associated plumbing access for viewing of the waste and over flow drain assembly. It's just another way to avoid a negative phone call after the couple moves in, wife fills the master bath tub during Monday Night Football and soaks the husband in the family room directly below same.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Nope.

[Larry D. Kage]

Normally, no.

[Barry Adair]

YES, I do every one. I try to max out the systems while I'm there. You know the homeowners are going to run the tub up to the overflow at some point.

Why bother testing other portions of the drain systems at all?

If the logic is because of water damage could result from such testing. Most plumbing supply or drain is concealed and cannot be inspected properly.

Better to fail under inspection than get a call or letter in the future.

[Barry Adair]

Jerry

Keep up the good work and do what you feel is in the best intrest of you clients.

Over flow from hydro-tub P3060010.jpg I'd be irate if this wasn't found on an inspection I paid for.

[Russel Ray]

Here in my neck of the woods, shower pans and bathtub overflows are under the jurisdiction of the licensed pest control professional, so my insurance doesn't cover me if I do the same and cause damage. Unfortunately, all of the licensed pest control professionals that I have worked with here in California also disclaim shower pans and bathtub overflow drains, particularly on anything other than the first floor, because of the damage that can be caused. I guess they don't have insurance to cause that specific type of damage, either, or maybe it's the fact that too often the damage doesn't manifest itself until a few hours after the inspection--been there, done that during property renovations. Not a pretty sight.

Sink overflow drains are tested because they are an integral part of the sink, and any leaking will be visible and can be cleaned up. I do find quite a few overflow drains that don't work, especially in multi-story buildings. I also find quite a few sinks from the late '70s/early '80s that have no overflow drains. When I was installing sinks in bathrooms during that time period in Texas, the manufacturers would ship the sinks out to us with instructions for us to drill the overflow drains. I did, but many of my co-workers didn't, saving them time (could explain why they got salary increases and I didn't--they did more "work" each day--installed more sinks).

[Gary Oleski]

Not in this life time.

[Russel Ray]

I forgot to say that I do test the bathtub overflow and the shower pans as part of my PREMIUM and TECH inspections, but I charge significantly more for those two types of inspections to handle the increased liability.

[rwand1]

No I do not test overflows it is disclaimed in the limitations on the Plumbing page. Do you sit in the tub and run the water? I doubt it. One can fill the tub and not get a leak, but some tubs only leak when full of water and with a person sitting in the tub.

[David P. Valley]

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f22/testing-bathtub-overflows-865/

[John McKenna]

You really run a risk when you try to flood something that
will cause water stains, wet carpet and possible damage
and mold. A good disclaimer would be advised and it is
not required for inspectors to do "destructive testing".

Instead, it would be wise to inform the customer of the
limitations of your inspection.