Plumbing alignment/exposed dryer vent hookup? How bad is this?

last year

Our home is a new construction spec home and we walk it every week to keep an eye on things. This past weekend, we came across: 1. this vanity install and 2. exposed work that was the result of a furred, then double drywalled extra laundry hookup in the master bathroom. I'll spare you my first thoughts but before I go complaining about it to our construction manager, I want to prepare myself. Does this happen often? Is it just an annoyance I'm going to have to live with or is it a battle I should fight? If so, what's the process/timeline to fix this if it's done right?

link to videos of both: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1p3Y_1RHJWYrfxoCAlRlQO5yWnwhMjuuw?usp=share_link

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kudzu9

last year

1. The run of piping up the closet wall doesn't look finished to me. Ask the contractor what he plans to do to finish it. If he says, "It's finished," then I'd tell him that you aren't satisfied. It's odd that it's contained within the wall at the bottom, but not at the top. I imagine something is a little out of alignment at the top, but that doesn't mean it can't be made to look better. I'm also at a loss to explain what is going on with that 18" wide horizontal piece at the ceiling line. My suggestion is to address this as an issue you would like his help in resolving, rather than complaining right out of the box, as you'll be more likely to get cooperation through diplomacy.

2. As for the vanity, not only do I not see a problem, it looks like they did a great job of placement: The drain and supply pipes are located so that you have good use of space on the left and no interference with the drawers on the right. The cold supply is close to the drawer, but I don't see how that would cause an obstruction with anything in the drawer. Even with the supply shutoff installed it shouldn't be a problem; and, in fact, those stub-outs are likely to be cut back anyway when the plumbing is hooked up. Even if there would be a slight issue, pex is flexible, so the supply line could be flexed slightly away from the drawer by wiring it to the drain.

Bottomline: Legitimate questions about the dryer closet; non-issue with the vanity plumbing.

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Comments (16)

PRO
PPF.
last year
Could you explain the problems?

It looks like there is enough room to connect the plumbing under the sink, and is that a closet in the 2nd image? I'm sure it will be covered and trimmed.

Yes, things like this happen all the time, especially in a production build.

And if it's your home now, it's no longer a spec.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
I don't have permission to view the videos.
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chispa
last year
We built a 100% custom home with a very good builder and some of our plumbing ended up being a bit off. It became obvious when the walls were framed what was off and it was "easily" fixed by the subs. I say "easily", because some of the fixes involved jack-hammering the slab to move the drain to the exact spot it needed to be in!

So not unusual for things to end up a bit off. Just point it out and see how they plan on dealing with it.
Heather thanked chispa
worthy
last year
How tract builders tolerate buyers who have made a contract to purchase a finished house wander through when the fancy strikes them to critique the construction always amazes me.

Try that with your latest vehicle purchase, or restaurant meal, and see how it goes.

That said, nothing to see above as well explained by previous posters.
Heather
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@worthy How strangers on the internet can find it more difficult to keep scrolling than to stop, comment and be rude when the fancy strikes them always amazes me.

That being said, our contractor WELCOMED us to take a look at things each week and let him know if we see anything because he recognizes that things happen. I found multiple tears in our HVAC ductwork and mold that required remediation. They had issues with a prior contract and have changed things since we bought the house. They are still understaffed and he was honest about it. Forgive me for questioning why I can see metal coming out of a wall when drywall is supposedly complete and why a vanity’s plumbing line isn’t off to the left (not so close to a drawer) like in every other bathroom in the house and like every other bathroom I’ve ever seen.
PRO
PPF.
last year
Forgive me for questioning why I can see metal coming out of a wall when drywall is supposedly complete and why a vanity’s plumbing line isn’t off to the left (not so close to a drawer) like in every other bathroom in the house and like every other bathroom I’ve ever seen.

Obviously your builder is the only one who could answer, certainly not strangers on the internet.
Heather
Original Author
last year
@PPF.

Obviously, you’ve never searched on the internet to understand a topic unfamiliar to you a little bit more before discussing it with anyone or making a decision.
emilyam819
last year
The sink is meant to be centered on the vanity; there is no top drawer. So, the plumbing is centered. There is no problem. Obviously I don’t know about the laundry room issue.
Heather thanked emilyam819
Heather
Original Author
last year
@emilyam819 @chispa thank you for the insight! The plumbing placement was so different from how the same vanity was installed in another bathroom (see photo) so I was confused. I appreciate the response!

@kudzu9 THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER! I so appreciate this response - informative without being condescending and gave me helpful context to speak with our CM. My comment about "before I go off complaining" was poking fun at myself and me not wanting to be a Karen 🤣 I never want to be that person that complains without a valid reason! It's why I came looking for advice from those who know more about it. The builder has a reputation for careless workmanship in other regions but we don't have many options in our area. I just wanted to do my best to make sure we don't run into the issues others have had.

The plumbing placement on the vanity was so different from most I've seen and from the other one installed in another bathroom (see photo above). But I agree, that's something that didn't occur to me about having more room on the left! I was concerned that once they do the supply shut-off it would impact the drawer but good to know that it shouldn't!

Agreed on the dryer closet. I asked him about this before drywall went in (see below). And he said that it would be covered by drywall. Then drywall went in and there were notes to add another layer. Now trim is on and I'm still seeing it Lol Apart from just appearance, it has me curious if it will limit us on the the type of unit we can use. Adding those extra inches takes from the depth ( it appears larger because my camera is zoomed out). I will have to measure next time. Again, thank you for your help!!!
artemis78
last year
It looks like the wall wasn't furred out quite enough to hide the dryer vent. I'd have this one addressed (or consider a ventless dryer and just ditch it entlrely, depending on what you want to put there).

The sink seems fine as long as the cold water shutoff doesn't interfere with the adjacent drawer. I think you can ask about that specifically, and ask them to move it if it does. My guess is that there's a stud there that prevented them from pushing it to further to the left, but agreed that having it where it is--as long as it allows the drawers to function--is actually preferable anyway.
Stax
last year
I think the OP was trolling. Note her aggressive responses.
Heather
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
@Stax Trolling my own post? Lol I just used the same words as the people who commented to show how unhelpful and unnecessary their tone was.
Architectrunnerguy
last year
last modified: last year
To me the vanity looks fine. Regarding the laundry, the wall should have been thicker to accommodate the duct size. Probably a tear out of the drywall and a furr out as the framing check note indicated.

Regarding the posts, both @PPF. and @worthy are valued members of this forum and have been for a very long time. With over 11,000 comments by Worthy and over 9,000 comments by PPF, all made on their own valuable time, should be indicative of that. I've read most of them over the years and their knowledge is invaluable. I'm sorry you concluded otherwise.

And somehow, the folks that criticize posters are the same folks who can't be bothered with posting advice to anyone else. I'm sure, in your home building adventure, you've accumulated a wealth of home building knowledge from an owners perspective that would be helpful to folks just like yourself. The threads are all there. So, jump in. We'd welcome the addition!
Loudermilk
last year
Regarding the posts, both @PPF. and @worthy are valued members of this forum and have been for a very long time... I've read most of them over the years and their knowledge is invaluable.

@Architectrunnerguy Their past posts may have been valuable. But do you think the particular responses in this thread are constructive/helpful?

The OP had very simple questions which were accompanied by photographic evidence. Yet these "pros" feel the need to post snarky, dismissive comments instead of a simple/clear answer like you provided.

Then when the OP gives them a taste of their own medicine, they're accused of "trolling" because of their "aggressive responses"! It is the supposed pros who are often trolling the people soliciting advice.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
last year
Does this happen often?

Yes

Is it just an annoyance I'm going to have to live with or is it a battle I should fight?

I assume it will all function properly. Be thankful the dryer vent was not just crushed in the wall reducing its cross section area. Chances are the plumbing can be installed and operate well. If these are your biggest battles, you have won the war.

If so, what's the process/timeline to fix this if it's done right?

Talk to your builder as soon as possible and work out a solution that makes you both happy.

Plumbing alignment/exposed dryer vent hookup? How bad is this?

kudzu9

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