Plumbing Inspection Part of Comprehensive WI Home
Inspection by House Detective Property Inspection Services

The plumbing aspect of a home inspection actually requires the inspector to detail a lot of the visible components of a home’s plumbing system. Because most of the pipes are not visible to the eye since they are inside walls, a knowledgeable inspector must rely on those that are visible,-- combined with function, flow and pressure-- to adequately assess a plumbing system.

A house gets its water from either a municipal source or well. If your home inspector determines the source is a private well, he will most likely refer you to a well inspection specialist. A general home inspection does not require an inspector to conduct an examination of the actual well or its components. Outside of the actual well, all remaining plumbing pipes are included in the general home inspection.

What the house inspector reports on are those exposed features of a home’s plumbing system, carefully logging them in their report. He or she can determine plumbing materials, insulation of the inspected areas, overall condition of the materials, show evidence of leaks or moisture, types of connections and identify waste systems.

Municipal Source

For a public water supply, he will locate the water main and locate the water meter, which is usually near the main shut off valve. He will also locate and note the condition, fuel source, and working order of the home’s hot water heater.

Waste Drainage

All modern plumbing systems have a waste drainage system. In the case of a municipal system, all system components are included in a general home inspection. For a septic or mound system all the same system components are included with the exception of certain specific septic or mound components, particularly exterior components that require a more specialized inspection.

Plumbing Materials

There are a lot of different materials a home’s plumbing system can be constructed from. Your home inspector will be trained to recognize the different materials and able to comment on condition. Certain types of plumbing materials used in older homes that have not been upgraded, can contains defects or even certain hazards, such as asbestos insulation. He will test the operation and flow of all faucets associated with sinks; hot and cold configurations; pressure and water flow; and flush mechanisms on all toilets, making notes on conditions and problems. In many instances he will make recommendations on plumbing items that may require repair or replacement.

Auxiliary water systems such as sprinkler and irrigation systems, pools and hot tubs, are not a required part of a general home inspection.

House Detective Property Inspection Services is certified by the American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT), licensed by the State of Wisconsin, fully insured including Errors & Omissions insurance (E&O), and a member of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors (WAHI). House Detective Property Inspection Services serves the greater Milwaukee area, including Brookfield, Grafton, Mequon, Cedarburg, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, New Berlin, Franklin, Waterford and all of Southeastern Wisconsin.