Ask the Builder: Avoid Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

There are many home projects to DIY but plumbing isn’t always one of them.

This is a toilet drain pipe. The smaller pipe that connects on the right side is a vent pipe. It looks like it’s installed correctly until you look at what happens on the other side of the wood beam! Tim Carter/Tribune Content Agency

I did an in-person inspection consultation recently. A man purchased a 50-year-old home next to a ski resort. He and his family are avid snow skiers and were tired of renting expensive condominiums. He wanted my opinion about the condition of the house and how to schedule remodeling work that might span two or three years.

I’m not sure of how much money he has, and it’s none of my business. That said, I know he’s going to need $500,000 or more to remodel the home based on the plans he showed me. This tired home requires a full facelift, both inside and outside.