"Workmanship" Definition by Code

[wcz]

I'm having a new home built. The plumbing for the shower in question is PVC, about 1/2 inch diameter. Heres my problem/question: The pvc travels up out of the slab about 3 feet, then should make a 90 degree turn (with a fitting)and go about 4 inchs where it then connects to the hot water valve. In my case, the section of pvc that connects to the hot water valve is about 2 inchs longer than it needs to be, hence, the pvc coming out of the slab had to be pulled to the right to accomodate the extra length of the section that runs to the valve. In short, they cut the valve section pipe to long.
Question: Clearly the pvc section coming out of the slab is being stressed to make an interference fit. Will that affect the chemical weld joint near the slab. Is this standard practice or sloppy work. THANX....

[BOA]

Not being able to see the joint in question and just going by your discription, I would not be happy with it. I would point it out to the inspector when he does the rough inspection. OR, just let the guy who did the work know your concern. Sounds to me like pride was not taken in the work performed, just my opinion.

Stress on the joint is a good way to develop a leak esp. in 1/2 pipe.

Good Luck.

[homebild]

I also would not be happy with the plumber's installation if for no other reason than it looks sloppy and unprofessional.

But if your supply pipes actually are PVC and not CPVC, you have far bigger problems because PVC cannot be used for hot water lines.

It is a Code violation to use PVC pipe for hot water supply lines.

[Wgoodrich]

Trying to enforce the rule calling for a workmanlike manner is like waving red in front of a herd of bulls. Boy can you raise a stink if you are an inspector calling a contractor sloppy. Whew. Ha ha. Been there done that, was needed but not fun.

Wg

[homebild]

Interestingly, the plumbing sections of the International Residential Code is one of the few codes or sections of codes that actually requires work to be done in a workmanlike manner:

P2607 Workmanship "Valves, pipes, and fittings shall be installed in correct relationship to the direction of the flow. Burred ends shall be reamed to the full bore of the pipe.""

A plumbing inspector may need to wear his asbestos underwear the day he invokes this rule, as GWoodrich says, but the Code gives the plumbing inspector authority to enforce workmanship as part of the Code.