Attachment 8_fc2769.09.1_Plumbing_Insp.pdf

Example: Plumbing Inspection

Attachment 8 – Page 1 of 2

EXAMPLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST

PLUMBING, RESIDENTIAL, SEASONAL

Plumbing Vents

Plumbing vents shall extend at least 24” above the roof and be 10’ away or 3’ above windows that open.

Look down vents and check for test plugs left in the vent pipes or nest blockage, etcetera. A wooden dowel or other tool may be used for this purpose.

Hosebibs

A. All hosebibs shall have non-removable vacuum breakers of a self-draining type. Clothes washers and hot water tanks do not require vacuum breakers.

B. Exterior hosebibs to have integral vacuum breakers and to be frostproof and caulked and secured at exterior walls. Frostproof requires not less than an 18” setback to the valve.

C. Check water pressure at any hose bib to verify that it is 80 psi or less. If it is greater than 80 psi, a pressure-reducing valve is required.

Electric Water Heaters

D. Temperature and pressure relief valve to be installed per manufacturer’s instructions or listing.

Typically within the top 6” of the tank.

E. The drain from the relief valve must be able to drain by gravity. No part of drain to be trapped.

F. The pipe for the drain to be hard and full sized, no flex connectors or pex piping.

G. The drain needs to terminate outside the building 6” - 24” above grade and shall have a soldered/glued on elbow as needed to direct the flow toward the ground or shall terminated at an approved drain. It may not be directly connected to a sanitary sewer. Retrofit water heaters may discharge 6” – 24” off of floor when a relief drain is not available.

H. Gas water heaters located in a garage need to be raised so that the heating elements and switches (source of ignition) are at least 18” above the floor unless listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant (FVIR).

I. Seismic strapping installed. Two straps, 1 in lower 1/3 and 1 in upper 1/3 and wide. Straps to be 22 gauge metal with strap ends lag bolted onto two different studs.

J. A water heater when installed in the normal path of a vehicle requires protection in the form of a wheel stop, bollard or by elevating.

K. Water heaters in attics, attic-ceiling assembly, floor-ceiling assembly, or floor-subfloor assembly where damage may result from a leaking water heater, a watertight pan of corrosion resistant material shall be installed with a ” drain that is piped to an approved location.

L. An expansion tank is only required when the public main pressure exceeds 120 psi or when the house is on a closed system. A closed system occurs when a check valve, backflow preventer or pressure regulating device which does not have a bypass feature at its source, is installed. Install per manufacturer’s specifications.

M. When a water heater or hot water storage tank is installed above fixture outlets in the system, a vacuum relief valve to be installed on the storage tank or heater.

Plumbing Fixtures, Caulking & Drains

N. Run water at all fixtures and check for leaks.

O. Fixture hot water control located on the left hand side of the fixture or per manufacturer’s installation instructions. On soaking tubs, the hot water control is required on the left side as seen from inside of the tub.

Example: Plumbing Inspection

Attachment 8 – Page 2 of 2

P. Hand held sprayers at soaking tub valves shall default to the spout or be protected by other approved backflow device.

Q. Motors on jetted tubs require access.

R. All fixtures caulked watertight.

S. Water closets require a minimum 24” clear space in front and 15” measured from the centerline of toilets to the finished wall on either side.

T. Shower door openings require a minimum 22” clear opening.

U. No underfloor cleanout to be located more than 20’ from a crawl access door or trap door.

Dishwashers

V. Dishwashers require an air gap. An air gap can be a deck mount or a Johnson tee type with required trim vent.

W. Dishwashers are to be anchored to the countertop, typically with (2) screws. (Or by manufacturer’s installation instructions.)

Insulation

X. Insulate all hot and cold water piping in unheated spaces to protect from freezing.

Y. Insulation in unheated areas to be minimum R-3. Water pipes in attics or exterior locations are required to be heat traced and insulated.

Z. Hot water circulating systems require R-4 minimum, or ¾” wall pipe insulation on the entire loop.