SoapZone Community Message Board

Yesterday afternoon, the contractor came to the house and called a person at the City Planning and Zoning to find out what the current building codes are for washing machine plumbing. The call was on speaker so I could hear it, too. Two inches, minimum. The current plumbing was tied into a 1 1/2 inch pipe. The plumber said he'd done it that way before.

Today, the workers came with the plumber who still didn't seem to understand the assignment, and started drilling and jack hammering. They removed the toilet and put it in the bathtub after I moved everything that was in the bath area to include the spacesaver behind the toilet, the stuff on the shelves, the cleaning supplies on the floor, and disconnected the bidet's waterline so they could move the toilet. I had to unscrew a bar that was on the spacesaver so I could remove it. <UGH> Yes, I was late for mass.

Anyway, the guys cut through the bottom piece of wood that was part of the framing in the screen room, dug a trench about ten inches deep, two feet wide, and four feet long. That was an all day job. This wouldn't have happened if they'd made their plans based on current code. They wouldn't have had to cut the framing. They would have gotten it right...the first time.

I think the plumber is coming back tomorrow to cut the current line and cap it, then run a line to the toilet's plumbing. It's a three inch line. It shouldn't be a problem if both the washer and the kitchen sink we're adding are discharging water at the same time.

I want it up to current code because future appliances may need that size plumbing to even function. Not into flooding.

The contractor said that I'd probably lose (they'd destroy) about six tiles. It's probably closer to ten or twelve. I've warned my daughter that we may not have enough of those tiles to tile the new space. We may need to buy new tiles. My daughter is in favor of trying to find tiles closest to the current ones (Close enough that you have to stare for quite a while and squint to tell the difference, even if it's not an exact match. The tiles were discounted because they were the end of a run. I had LOTS of tile, but I took some over to my ex's house to tile over the linoleum when we planned to rent the place when he was in an assisted living. The renters would pay for his mortgage ($750/month) and part of his assisted living costs (about $1500/month) and make it easier to keep rented because it would look current.) instead of going for a totally different look for the flooring in the new space.

I think it's better to be home and available during remodels so you can see what's happening and provide input. The plumber was willing to "make it work." So was the contractor originally. Telling the contractor that I was going to have my plumber look at the job is what made him call to get the code requirements. Get second opinions if something doesn't feel right.

The saga continues. We were ahead of schedule. Now, we've probably lost one day and may lose a day or two more. We should still be done well before the scheduled February completion. Wish us luck.