Pre-Drywall Inspection Discovery: Tub Resting on the Drain Pipe!

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During a recent Pre-Drywall Inspection, our team at Trace Inspections found a fiberglass tub that had either a broken or removed support leg. This caused the tub base to rest directly on the PVC drain pipe, placing pressure on the plumbing and creating a serious potential for damage.

This is not a minor oversight — it’s a major plumbing concern that can lead to leaks, water damage, and expensive repairs once the home is finished.

🟩 Why This Is a Serious Concern
​🧱 Structural Weakness
Fiberglass tubs are designed to be fully supported by factory-installed legs or a solid mortar bed. When that support is missing or broken, the bottom of the tub can flex and eventually crack. Over time, this weakens the tub and allows water to leak into the subfloor and framing.

💧 Plumbing Stress
PVC drain pipes are not designed to support the weight of a tub filled with water and a person. When the tub rests on the drain assembly, it can strain or crack fittings, leading to hidden leaks that may go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred behind finished walls.

🏷️ Warranty & Manufacturer Issues
Improperly supporting a tub can void the manufacturer’s warranty and fail to meet plumbing code standards. Builders and plumbers must ensure that all fixtures are installed according to manufacturer instructions — cutting corners now often leads to costly problems later.

🟠 Our Recommendation
We advised our client that the tub should be replaced before drywall installation continues. Once walls, tile, and finishes are installed, access to repair the drain or replace the tub would be extremely difficult and expensive.

This is a great example of why a professional Pre-Drywall Inspection is so valuable: it catches hidden issues before they become hidden problems.

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Trace InspectionsServing Middle Tennessee with Professional Inspections
📞 615-302-1113
🌐 www.TraceInspections.com
🟩 Protecting your investment — one inspection at a time.