A plumbing inspection costs $200 on average, with prices tending to range between $100 and $600. It is recommended to inspect your home’s plumbing systems at least every two years, or even more frequently if your home is more than 40 years old.

Your home’s plumbing is one area where a small issue can become a huge headache if it is left unchecked. Regularly inspecting your plumbing systems and fixtures can provide peace of mind, and help you stay on top of your plumbing maintenance before it’s too late.

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How much does a plumbing inspection cost?

Typically, plumbing inspections cost anywhere from $100 to $600, with the average price being around $200. The actual price you are quoted will depend on a handful of factors such as:

Your location

The size of your home

The type of inspection done

If you are thinking about buying a new home and are about to do a home inspection, you should know that a typical home inspection will not include an in-depth inspection of the plumbing systems. Most home inspections will do little more than check if drains drain, toilets flush, and faucets work. A typical home inspection costs between $200 and $500.

Types of plumbing inspections

Check out the table below for a brief introduction to the types of plumbing inspections and how much they cost.

Type of inspection	Description	Average cost
Visual inspection	The inspector looks at all visible plumbing components, checking for leaks, clogs, and installation quality	$100-$200
Camera inspection	Involves the use of a camera attached to a flexible rod to look inside pipes and sewer systems	$300-$500
Combination inspection	Both a visual and camera inspection are conducted	$400-$700

What to expect from a plumbing inspection?

You can expect a plumbing inspection to take about two hours.

The plumber will inspect all plumbing systems and fixtures in your home, looking for leaks, clogs, rust, corrosion, function, and any points of maintenance. The areas of inspection include, but are not limited to:

Sinks

Faucets

Toilets

Bathtubs

Washing machines

Water heaters

Shut-off valves

Plumbing pipes

Sewer lines

Sump pumps, if applicable

After the inspection, you will be provided a report detailing the condition of your home's plumbing systems and outlining any recommended repairs. You should ask for a full report with a breakdown of repair costs to better understand what costs are when fixing the issues.

How much do plumbing repairs cost?

If any issues were flagged during your inspection, it is best to deal with them as soon as possible. Even small leaks or clogs can worsen over time to become a more significant, more expensive issue.

As you might expect, the cost of plumbing repairs can vary drastically. A leaky faucet will be far cheaper to repair than a sewer main line. Small repair jobs tend to cost between $125 to $350, while large common repairs average between $500 and $800, but can easily be in the thousands if you have to do a major replacement.

Here are some pricing estimates of some of the most common plumbing repairs:

Clogged drain: $100-$275

Leaky pipe: $150-$850

Water softener repair: $150-$600

Drain pipe replacement: $100-$350

Toilet issue: $100-$300

Broken water heater: $150-$700

Water main repair: $450-$2500

Septic tank pumping: $250-$650

Septic tank repair: $500-$2700

Well pump repair: $350-$1350

Sewer line cleaning: $150-$800

Sewer main line repair: $1800-$3700

The main contribution to typical repair costs is the plumber’s hourly wage, which tends to range between $45 to $200 per hour. Of course, other factors will contribute to the price, such as the extent of the damage, your location, and whether it is an emergency repair. Emergency plumbing service will tend to add an emergency trip charge and increase the hourly wage by 50% or more.

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When should you get a plumbing inspection?

Experts recommend getting a plumbing inspection at least every two years. For houses older than 40 years old, it is recommended to inspect your plumbing systems every year.

Of course, if you notice any leaks, clogs, backups, burst pipes, or any other issues, you should consider a plumbing inspection to get to the bottom of the issue. Even if you haven’t noticed any problems, though, a plumbing inspection can help give peace of mind, and help you stay on top of any small issues before they turn into big ones.

Do you need a plumbing inspection to sell your house?

Plumbing inspections are not required to sell a home. If you are looking to buy a new home, though, it is highly recommended to do a plumbing inspection to make sure you know the state of the house’s plumbing systems and fixtures. The last thing you want is to move to a new home only to find out that the water main needs repairing.

If you are selling your home, you might also want to consider doing a plumbing inspection. Sellers are responsible for ensuring the home is clean and habitable. Doing a plumbing inspection can add a nice selling point for prospective buyers.

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Tips for finding a company to inspect your home

You should only trust certified plumbers to inspect your home. Plumbing inspectors must meet specific qualifications in the US, when hiring a company, make sure they have the necessary certifications. There are four main boards that plumbing inspectors register with:

American Society of Home Inspectors

National Association of Certified Home Inspectors

National Association of Sewer Service Companies

American Home Inspectors Training

When looking for a company to inspect your home, your best bet is to look into local plumbing companies that offer inspection services. Reading reviews and looking into services that check companies' credibility, like the

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

, can go a long way.

If you need immediate plumbing services, then your priorities are going to shift to finding a company that can help as soon as possible. If you have the time, though, then it is worthwhile to compare a handful of quotes to gain insight into pricing and to find the best value.

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Does home insurance cover plumbing repairs?

Unfortunately, home insurance usually does not cover plumbing repairs.

Plumbing systems require regular maintenance, and most issues result from typical wear and tear or user error, which are not covered by insurance.

Home insurance will only cover repairs for issues that are sudden and accidental, and that are caused by a peril specifically listed in your policy. For example, if your pipe bursts because the pipe froze, even though your home was heated, then your insurance might cover these repairs. However, if you left for vacation, turned the heat off, and your pipe burst, then that would not be covered by your insurance.

Even issues like sewage backups often are not covered under basic insurance policies, even though these are accidents out of your control. Coverage for sewage backups needs to be added as additional coverage.

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