Equipment Grounds

[kteitel]

The other day I was inspectting a house and saw that the cable company and phone company had both used the hose bib for grounding. The only problem is that the system is CPVC. Not a very good ground. Would you write it up?

Kevin Teitel

House-Pro Inspections

[Brian G]

Sounds like no ground at all. I normally don't comment on phone or cable stuff, but if I saw that I would put it in the report. If they have a ground I assume there's some reason for it.

Brian G.

[Paul MacLean]

All communication system wiring (i.e. telephone, cable, etc.) is excluded in my contract and I make it clear that I'm not inspecting this stuff. So no, I wouldn't mention it.

[chrisprickett]

In this area, the sparkies will bond the hose bib on non-metallic piping, if the supply from the street is copper, which it almost always is. The hose bib they bond is the one that is right at the supply shut off, so it does serve a purpose. I wouldn't write it up in that situation.

[charlieb]

Like Paul, It is outside of the scope of the inspection. However I do talk to my client about a lot of things that don't make the report. In this case I would provide additional information. If these systems do not bond to the same ground as the electrical system it can lead to problems. Differing voltage (from a lightning strike near by) will travel the separate bonding conductors and destroy the electrical equip. I try to provide my client with all the information that I have picked up, learned or received from this board.

[kteitel]

Thanks guys, I didn't mention it in my report since it was outside the scope of the inspection.

Kevin Teitel

House-Pro Inspections