Hot water is defined as water of a temperature of 110° F (43° C) or hotter. Tempered water ranges from 85° F to 110°
F (29° C to 43° C), and the device supplying the tempered water must limit the temperature to 110° F (43° C).
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PEX Plastic Tubing
PEX is polyethylene cross-linked plastic tubing. The cross-linked structure prevents the pipe from rupturing over a
wide range of temperatures and pressures. PEX is resistant to solvents and cannot be joined by solvent cementing.
PEX is flexible and can be bent. PEX can be hot-bent with a hot-air gun. The minimum hot-bending radius is 2½ times
the outside diameter. PEX can be cold-bent, too (at room temperature) to a minimum radius of 6 times the outside
diameter.
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Check for physical damage to the tank, particularly rust and corrosion on the bottom of the tank. Check for water
marks on the floor of the tank. Check for a leaking TPR valve and discharge pipe is installed. The covers at the
electric heating elements should not be disturbed. Corrosion can be found where the water pipes are connected to the
top of the tank. The electricity or the fuel may be shut off. There could be scorching at the burner cover area. The
heat rollout shield should be in place. The draft hood and vent connector are often loosely attached. All tanks
should be accessible with at least 24 inches of working space around them.
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Circuit Breaker Panels
These are probably the most common type that home inspectors will come across, as they have replaced fuse panels over
the last 40 years or so. As we saw for fuse panels, breakers are far from foolproof and require some particular
checking.
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Plumbing Vents
Depending on location, there are primarily two different types of plumbing vent flashing. The most common in northern
climates is the neoprene or metal boot. In Florida and in many other southern states, a lead flashing, which also
protects the plastic vent pipe from ultraviolet damage, is more common. The stack vent is provided for the waste
stack. The stack vent is the extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain that is connected
to the stack. This is the main commonly-observed pipe that is observed penetrating the sloped roof surface, and it
may also be visible in the unfinished attic space. This is an inspection image of a stack vent pipe penetrating the
roof covering surface.
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