Zurn Pex Plastic Plumbing

PLASTIC PLUMBING ISSUE YES OR NO?

Some time in 2009, and then again at the end of 2009, I came across a concern with a newer plastic plumbing system while conducting a Minneapolis home inspection. The first thing I noticed was corrosion around a fitting in the furnace room of the home. Now this did not alarm me in anyway, but I made a note that the clamp and connection should be checked. Then I found another in the same room and another.. See where I am going. Now could this have all been an installation issue, possibly! But even so, then what is going on behind the walls.. So I decided to do a little research on the type of fittings involved. (Zurn Pex Plastic Plumbing/ Brass Fittings)


In my quest to uncover what may be the cause I came across the following information on Zurn Pex plastic plumbing and fittings:
( http://www.zurnclassaction.com/)
( http://newsblaze.com/story/2007081013504600001.pz/topstory.html )
(http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pex.html ) and a more resent 2010 article
( http://www.alawpro.com/lawyer-attorney-1553652.html ).

Now the argument can be made that maybe lawyers are out for blood.. But what about the fact that there are enough people affected to make a class action suit. The concern seems to be with "dezincification" or the which means the brass is stripped of the anti-corrosive ability. I have heard many variations of this process and what may be causing it. Some say it is do to Well systems and others say it may be too much Chlorine. Regardless, there needs to be some more evaluation into this potential problem. We do not want another Polybutylene disaster like in the 80's-90's. That plastic plumbing system was suppose to be the latest and greatest as well and instead came to be a builders, and home owners, nightmare. So some caution does need to be generated with these systems, especially since it is relatively new and we do know the long term ability of such systems and some concerns have already been raised. So what to do as a Home Inspector?

Well, I have brought this concern to the attention of other home inspectors, some of whom have brought it to the attention of their local chapter. I have repeatedly put the same informational links in my reports pertaining to the Zurn Pex brass systems as is in this blog. I feel if the buyer is informed of the potential concerns that exist and no one can make a clear case as to what is causing the failures, then the buyer needs to make a decision for themselves on just what they are willing to take on. I can not make that decision for them, but I can inform them of a potential problem and point them toward the information. I know many home inspectors are not doing this and I feel this is a shame. Buyers need to be informed of potential concerns such as this just as if there were a potential fire hazard, does mean you will have a fire, but you could!

Final note is that Zurn Pex discontinued sale of their brass fittings in Minnesota altogether. Currently you will find most of the Zurn Systems installed will have the black plastic fittings. Numerous manufacturers of plastic plumbing systems exist, and to date, I have not experienced or heard of concerns with other systems (not that there can't be).

If you would like more information or to schedule a Minneapolis Home Inspection (we cover the 11 county metro area) call us @ 612-919-3844 or email us @ sevencounty@yahoo.com. Our website address is www.7countyhomeinspection.com or www.homeinspectorsminneapolis.com

Thermal Infrared Home Inspection

Thermal Infrared Home Inspection

So for the past few years I have been using the fantastic technology known as Thermal Infrared Imaging. This technology helps me, as a home inspector in the Minneapolis area, to uncover defects such as missing insulation, moisture intrusion and overheated electrical. My clients have absolutely loved this technology and are amazed every time I go through a home and show them some of the issues I just discussed. The ability to see the things that are "not so obvious" is fantastic. Does it guarantee everything, No! But it is definitely a tool that should be used at every inspection. But be careful, there are some who have little to no training and are running around making diagnosis with their Thermal Infrared. So be sure your thermal inspector is also Certified Thermal Infrared and not just playing around with a camera. The above photo is of a home that was freezing the heating pipes in the lower level. This area taken on the outside shows how the pipe is not properly insulated, allowing both heat to escape the home and cold air (especially the freezing -0 ) can cause the pipe to freeze.
The below photos will show items such as radiators I have found to be inoperative or plugged, inoperative radiant floor heating, moisture intrusion and missing insulation etc....


This photo shows an area of substandard insulation. Large area of cold air coming from the attic. Not only does this lack of insulation cause energy loss, but the interior heat of the home escapes into the attic and can cause damage to sheathing, Ice Dams and condensation (which can lead to mold).







This photo shows a Thermal home inspection I performed where we found water intrusion in the lower level furnace room. The water line extended up the drywall about 8-10 inches from the floor. Drywall will soak up water higher than the actual water level was at when the water intrusion happened.







This photo from a recent Minneapolis home inspection, where we used thermal infrared, shows several areas of missing insulation and cold air infiltration below the homes window. Cold air is coming in around the lower window trim, bottom edge of window and along the lower trim. This was NOT moisture as some may think and there are ways you can tell just from the photo alone without using a moisture meter. That is why your inspector needs to be knowledgeable with Thermal Infrared and not just running around with a camera.



This photo shows a radiant floor heating system that has an inoperative section of piping. This pipe led to another room where over half the floor was unheated because of this defect. How would a normal home inspection ever find this?








This photo shows a radiator that was plugged and not producing very much heat. This one of Numerous heating photos we have in our collection. No one should have a home inspection without including the Thermal Infrared Imaging. Otherwise you are getting an inferior inspection. AND NO SHOULD PAY EXTRA FOR IT!! it is just another tool on our belt so why charge more??






Thermal Infrared imaging is just another useful tool in the process of home inspection. BUT WHY PAY MORE FOR IT... We have and always will include this technology with every home inspection we perform at no extra cost, compare this with our competition.... If you are in need of a Minneapolis home inspection or Thermal Infrared home inspection call us @ 612-919-3844 or email us sevencounty@yahoo.com. We look forward to educating you on your home purchase. Thank you visit us @ www.7countyhomeinspection.com or www.homeinspectorsminneapolis.com

MINNEAPOLIS THERMAL ICE DAM INSPECTION

So here we are again. Ice Dam season! I have been busy with this problem, not only at normal home inspections, but also with individual requests for Thermal Infrared home inspections to help determine the causes and effects of the ice dams on peoples homes. This year has been particularly bad for ice dams due to the constant freeze thaw cycles we are experiencing. Does this mean you just have to live with them, NO!
I wrote a blog already on how ice dams form and some things to do to prevent them. So how do you know what exactly to do? That is where the use of the Thermal Infrared camera comes into play. This technology allows me to see things such as water that is hidden in behind the wall that you do not see because it is not contacting or staining the drywall. I add to this a moisture meter to help determine the level of moisture we are seeing. Again, some of the most common causes for ice dams is that there is a higher than normal amount of heat making its way into the attic. Add to this a lack of good ventilation and you have a recipe for ice dams. The attic should be maintaining a very close temperature relationship to the exterior outside temperature. By properly ventilating the attic you are allowing the cold air to circulate and remove any heat in the attic keeping what snow is on the roof at a cold enough temperature to not melt. If the attic is properly insulated the interior home heat does does not make its way to the attic in large amounts and should not increase the likelihood of snow melting down to the colder lower soffit edges of the roof where it refreezes. The Thermal Infrared home inspection allows us to see areas of heat that may be entering the attic from the interior of the home or ducts in some attics that may not be properly insulated. If you would like to find out more or schedule an inspection, call us @ 612-919-3844 or visit our website http://www.7countyhomeinspection.com.
Be sure to clear at least the first 3 feet of your roofs edge around your home to help prevent blockage of the water flow. Also, steam is the absolute best way to remove ice dams.