Whole-home plumbing inspection in Aurora, CO

We start at the main shutoff and water meter side of the house, test static water pressure and check the pressure reducing valve if there is one. Then we identify supply pipe materials throughout, look for corrosion, mixed metals and stressed fittings, and operate the main shutoff and fixture valves to see whether they still close.

Next come the fixtures: toilets for leaks and stability, faucets and shower valves for drips and temperature control, and drains for flow and venting. We inspect the water heater's age, venting, relief valve and expansion tank. Visible gas piping and appliance connectors get a look and a leak check at accessible joints. Exterior hose bibs and the sprinkler backflow are checked too.

The single largest plumbing expense in many older homes is the sewer lateral, the buried pipe from the house to the city main, and it can't be seen without a camera. We run a camera from an accessible cleanout and record the pipe's material, joints, sags, cracks and any root intrusion along its length.

For buyers of older homes, the camera is often the most valuable part of the inspection. A cracked clay lateral or a badly sagging section can cost thousands to fix. Seeing it before closing gives you options: ask for a repair, negotiate the price or plan the work. We share the video so you can see what we saw.

After the inspection we give you a written summary in plain language, sorted by priority. Urgent items are things like active leaks, a failing relief valve or gas connector problems. Soon items might be a water heater at the end of its typical life or high pressure. Watch items are worth tracking but don't need action yet.

Each finding comes with a short explanation of why it matters and, when it helps, a typical price range for fixing it. There is no pressure to have us do the repairs. Many buyers hand the report to their agent, and many owners use it to plan maintenance over the next year or two.