Inspection-Ready Construction Plumbing in Tallmadge

The Inspections a Typical Project Goes Through

The exact list depends on the building department and the type of project, but most new homes, additions and commercial build-outs include some version of these:

• Underground: drains and water lines below the slab or in the trench, under test, before backfill or concrete
• Rough plumbing: all drain, waste, vent and supply piping in the walls and floors, before insulation and drywall
• Gas rough: gas piping under pressure test before it is concealed
• Final: fixtures set, water heater operating, gas appliances connected, everything working and accessible

How We Test Before the Inspector Arrives

We do not call for an inspection and hope. Each system is tested first, the same way the inspector will look at it.

Drain, waste and vent piping is usually tested by filling it with water to a set height and checking that the level holds, or by an air test where water testing is impractical, such as in freezing weather. Water supply lines are pressurized above normal working pressure and watched for any drop. Gas piping is put under air pressure with a gauge that must hold steady for the required time. Any drop means a leak, and we find and fix it before the inspection, not during it.

Why Rough Inspections Fail, and How We Avoid It

In our experience, failed plumbing inspections usually come down to a short list of issues. We check for each of them before calling:

• Drain lines without enough slope, or with sags between supports
• Missing, undersized or improperly connected vents
• Wrong fittings for the direction of flow, such as a tee laid on its back in a horizontal drain
• Pipe not supported at the required spacing
• Framing cut or bored beyond allowed limits to fit the pipe
• Missing cleanouts, or cleanouts that will end up buried behind a finish
• Test not in place, or a gauge that is dropping when the inspector arrives

If an Inspection Does Not Pass

Sometimes an inspector reads a requirement differently or asks for an extra measure. When that happens, we take the correction notice, make the change promptly and schedule the re-inspection, keeping the builder updated so the rest of the schedule can adjust. If the problem is in someone else's earlier work, such as a previous owner's addition being tied into, our code violation repair team can bring it up to standard.

Final Inspection and Handover

For the final, every fixture has to work, hot water must reach the right temperature, gas appliances must be connected and vented properly, and access panels must be in place. We walk the building with the builder before the inspection and fix any loose ends. Gas appliance connections are covered on our gas line page.

For a look at fixtures and equipment in a brand-new home, see our new plumbing installations page. Our complete construction process, from bid to final, is on our construction services page.