We reached an important milestone this week: our first inspection, which was the plumbing inspection. I called the plumber last Friday midday to touch base and confirm details before the scheduled start on Monday. What time would they arrive? Who was responsible to call the city to turn off the water main and move the inconveniently located water meter? When should I ask the building inspector to come?
The plumber’s task was to separate the water between the main and secondary units, add separate water shut-off valves for both units, add the required mixer to the hot water tank, and break up the cement floor to run drains for the basement kitchen and main-level laundry. A plumbing inspection was required before the hole could be filled back in. It had originally been booked as a two-day job, but I had asked the scheduler to reserve a third day, which she did. The plumber himself remained confidence. Since I needed to give the inspector 48 hours’ notice to request an inspection, he asked for Tuesday afternoon. I duly called and left a message for the building inspector.
The plumber with a crew of three showed up on time Monday morning. Walking around to confirm final details, the plumber described that connecting to a stack vent (a vertical drain line that goes through the home’s roof to reach the outside) would be challenging. He wanted to recommend a cheater vent (or air inlet valve) but that would require the building inspector’s go-ahead as it was not to code. Serendipitously, the building inspector returned my call during this conversation, and I handed my phone to the plumber. He made his best sales pitch, but she wasn’t buying.
The building inspector role is to ensure work is done to code. Whereas a contractor could have convinced me that (insert clever work around) would be good enough, the building inspector knows otherwise. In that sense, it’s nice to have a building inspector lay down the law, literally.
I very much respect contractors’ ability to problem solve. With his preferred option off the table, the thinking cap came out, and it became a discussion. What about this? How about that? What if…? Within half an hour, we had worked out a solution that would meet code. The inspection was scheduled for late Wednesday morning.
It was fascinating to see the basement floor broken up. The ¾ inch gravel and underlying sand were bagged up and set aside for later. The drainpipes were laid, and the more complicated work of separating the plumbing got underway. Most of the work was concentrated in the ceiling of the basement bathroom. It hadn’t been the best bathroom addition, the crew found a lot of dead ends, just like the electrician had found hidden junction boxes. Opening everything up and having everything done right, as verified by a building inspector, gives us confidence.
The work was done by Wednesday morning and passed the plumbing inspection on the first try. By end of day Wednesday, the floor had been filled back in and an invoice was waiting in my inbox. Awesome result.
Next week, the foundation specialists are coming Monday to frame and pour the curb needed to close in the existing garage opening; an area that will become the entrance and living room for the secondary unit.