Supply Risers: Common Failure Points and What to Look For

Supply risers are used to connect fixtures to water and gas supply systems and are commonly found in residential and commercial plumbing applications. While their function is straightforward, failures can lead to significant water loss, often in confined or hidden areas.

In this episode of Evidence to Answers, forensic engineer Ben explains how supply risers are installed and the importance of following manufacturer specifications, particularly when it comes to tightening methods. He covers common failure points, including overtightening, material defects, external damage, and gasket-related wear. He also discusses how physical indicators such as tooling marks, fractures, and mineral deposits are used to evaluate failures.

This video is for those involved in losses where a supply riser is a factor. Documenting installation conditions, component details, and the surrounding environment prior to removal provides the context needed for a complete and defensible evaluation.