It's basically a matter of water and waste... You need to bring in water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and you need to remove waste water. Simple? Not quite. The plumbing components of a home can be the most expensive to repair, or maintain. However, in the last 20 - 30 years, supply and wastewater components have improved dramatically.

A visual inspection will evaluate the existing condition and serviceability of the following points:

WATER SERVICE ENTRANCE: location (furnace room, basement, crawlspace etc.), piping (copper, plastic, galvanized etc.), diameter, leakage, no shut-off tap, no pressure vale, corroded electrical bonding clamp, poor access, public / private service

HOSE FAUCETS: location, inoperative, leakage, possible cross connecting

SUPPLY LINES: type (copper, polyethylene galvanized, gray plastic, brass etc.), supports (metal, plastic, improper), insulation damage or missing, missing handles, signs of amateur work, leakage, unsealed entry points, water hammer, corrosion, rust, improper plumbing, hot & cold reversed, poor flow

DRAIN / VENT LINES: type (copper, plastic, cast iron, galvanized etc.), loose or damaged insulation, noisy, rusting, improper venting, corrosion, improperly plumbed, improper supports, improper sloping, improper trap type, signs of amateur work, possible cross connection, sewer pipe poorly sealed (wall / floor), slow drainage or bubbling, dissimilar metals, vents near operable windows, leakage

SUMP PUMP: location, access, damaged wiring, GFCI protection operative or recommended, inoperative, looseness

WATER HEATER

• LOCATION: basement, furnace room, garage etc.

• FUEL TYPE: natural gas, electric, oil etc.

• PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE: visible, poor or no discharge, improper discharge pipe size

• ANTI-SIPHON DEVICE: if present

• WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE: present, broken, corroded

• COMBUSTION AIR: if present

• VENTING: leakage, back drafting, improper vent size, looseness, improper venting, damage, improper clearances, improper diverters

• CONDITIONS: baffles dropped, leakage, rusting, low burner height, corrosion, sooty, rusty or missing drip tray, model year, near the end of useful life

LAUNDRY: location (utility room, basement, garage etc.), leakage, improper support, damage, poor drainage, poor access to shut-off valves, dryer improperly vented, exterior vent cap broken, plastic vent ducting used

GENERAL: Any obvious immediate condition that may appear to impede efficiency,  cause premature failure, or pose a health or safety risk.

NOTE: If any point of a regular inspection is concealed, or not accessible to the inspector it will not be included in the inspection.