Plumbing Inspection in Greensboro, NC

Why get one in Greensboro

About 43% of Greensboro's homes were built before 1980, according to Census survey data. A house from those decades may still have original galvanized supply pipe, cast iron drains, or a sewer line that roots have found their way into. A general home inspector looks at plumbing, but usually only at what's visible and what runs. A plumber can go further, especially on the sewer line, which is often the most expensive surprise in an older house.

What a plumbing inspection usually covers

• Supply piping: material, condition, visible corrosion and leaks, and water pressure
• Main shutoff and fixture valves: whether they turn and actually close
• Water heater: age, venting, the relief valve and discharge pipe, and signs of tank leaks
• Drains and vents: how fixtures drain and whether there's evidence of past backups
• Sewer camera: roots, sags, cracks or offset joints between the house and the street
• Crawl space or basement: leaks, damp areas and unsupported pipe
• Backflow device: if the property has irrigation

Before you buy

A sewer camera inspection is the piece most worth adding to a home purchase. Greensboro's water rules matter here: the City is responsible for water leaks up to the property boundary, and the line from there into the house belongs to the owner. Anything the camera finds on the private side becomes the buyer's problem after closing. If the home has an irrigation system, ask when the backflow device was last tested, since the City requires residential irrigation devices to be tested at least every two years.

Lead and older pipes

The City's water quality report found lead below the action level in all homes tested, and says lead in drinking water comes mainly from service lines and home plumbing rather than the City's supply. The City offers lead testing on request. If an inspection turns up old supply pipe or soldered joints you're unsure about, a test is a reasonable next step.

Permits and past work

The City of Greensboro issues its own plumbing permits. If a seller has replaced a water heater or redone plumbing, asking whether it was permitted is fair, since permitted work was inspected by the City.

What affects the cost

Price depends on the size of the house, whether a sewer camera is included, how accessible the crawl space is, and whether you want a written report.