Buildings

Water, Water Everywhere

Staff members at Advanced Energy have been surprised by recent findings in some of their field studies. In one location, they found that more than half of the newly constructed homes had plumbing leaks. In one case, a bathtub was being emptied directly into the crawl space! While it's unclear exactly how this situation occurred, it highlights the need for closer inspections by builders and homeowners, even if the construction has been approved by a code official.

Plumbing leaks, if not detected soon, can result in health problems or deterioration of the structure itself. Although the percentage of leaks recently observed by our staff may be higher than the overall industry norm, Advanced Energy recommends taking a second look at the integrity of the plumbing system. Particular care should be given to inspecting the system thoroughly if large numbers of subcontractors or inexperienced workers have been involved. The chance for miscommunication, error, or simple oversight is likely to rise under those conditions. The result can be (hidden) waterfalls and fountains that were never a part of the home's original design!

For More Information

Contact Advanced Energy at (919) 857-9000 or moreinfo@advancedenergy.org.