I came across a home that had a tap coming off the kitchen sink clean out plug on the exterior of the house. I didnt catch the whole conversation, but the owner indicated it was part of his water softening system. There was a hose coming out of the plug that seemed to disappear in the earth beneath the foundation. Havent seen this before. Any suggestions?

Yes, I have a photo. Forgot to post it.

Attached Images

IM000991.jpg (52.9 KB, 107 views)

Wrong.

Aside from the possibility of cross contamination, there is something in the code that prevents drilling or modifying of plumbing fittings.

__________________
What is the circumference of a moose?

Nothing tastes like a direct tap from the sewer system to the drinking water system.

__________________
Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Ormond Beach, Florida
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

It looks like the drain for a reverse osmosis system. Did you see that setup under the sink?

Purge line from the softener?

__________________
Jim Robinson
New Mexico, USA

That's what it looks like, and it needs an indirect waste connection, i.e., an air gap ... into a proper fitting.

__________________
Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Ormond Beach, Florida
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Can you explain to me what the purge from the softener is/does. I dont own one, and dont inspect them (for obvious reasons, I dont claim to know a lot about them so am not qualified to inspect them). Yes I understand the soft water process.

When the soft water system regenerates nightly, the water that flushes the beads clean and readies them for the next day , that water is directed to a drain or in your case probably no drain was available near softener so it was directed to waste line (improperly).

__________________
Tom Rees / A Closer Look Home Inspection / Salt Lake City, Utah

John,

Like Tom wrote, there are generally two tanks. One is typically a tall, thin cylinder that looks a bit like an oxygen or helium tank, but is often made of fiberglass and the other is a shorter, plastic tank that is generally filled with rock salt and brine. The timer is generally set to operate in the middle of the night and will backflush the brine water through the filter medium in the tall tank, then rinses out the salt and refills the brine tank. The water needs somewhere to go, and that is the hose you saw. If it is on a septic, have them check with a septic specialist. My understanding is that the salt will interrupt the anaerobic action in the septic tank.

__________________
What is the circumference of a moose?

ALOHA TO ALL INSPECTORS/ PLUMBING CONTRACTORS/PLUMBERS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE POSTED ON THIS SITE. LETS GET TO THE POINT--- NO CLEAN-OUT PLUG SHALL BE TAPED FOR FOR DIRECT OR INDIRECT WASTE IN THIS MANNER. IF YOU NOTICE THE PLASTIC 3/8 OR 1/2 PB HOSE IS FACING DOWN TO EARTH, IN WHICH THIS PERSON WHO INSTALL THIS MUST BE THINKING THAT IT IS A DRAIN/IRRAGATION SYSTEM, FOR HIS VEG OR ROSE GARDEN. ANY WHO THIS PERSON MUST NEVER TOUCH ANY TYPE OF PLUMBING EVER AGAIN. THERE A THREAT TO THEM SELFS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. OH YA, WHATS UP WITH THE NEW MOTOR MIX AROUND THE C/O ?

Aloha Jeff. You might want to take your caps lock off.

And realize the shortcomings of spell check. Yes, "motor" is a properly spelled word, but not the one you meant. As a former mechanic, I thought for a micro-second you were referring to the gas/oil mixture for a two stroke engine.

Aloha again, sorry about the cap lock on, and the word motor in my first reply. the word should have been mortar mix. I belive you knew what i ment. I've seen alot of strange plumbing configurations in 30 plus years and there are sure more to come. Have you guys ever seen DWV out of BAMBOO? If you haven't then you haven't true plumbing before cast iron and galvi.