Fillable checklist

Plumbing Inspection Checklist: Water Supply, Drains, and Fixtures (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable visual plumbing inspection for a US house: supply, fixtures, drains, heater connections, and hose bibs. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Inspections Fillable form · 7 sections · 55 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against IRC, IAPMO UPC, InterNACHI SOP, and EPA WaterSense · Last verified Sep 1, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a visual plumbing inspection of a US house: water supply, fixtures, drains, traps, vents, shutoffs, visible leaks, hose bibs, water heater connections, and the sewer or septic connection at the house.

  • 7 sections
  • 55 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Property

This is a visual template, not a licensed home inspection and not a substitute for the equipment maker's procedure. Adopted plumbing codes vary by state and city.

13 fields
Property

InterNACHI and ASHI do not require operating a system that is shut down. Mark fixtures N/A if water was off.

InterNACHI and ASHI require stating where the main water shutoff is. Typical places: meter, basement wall, crawl, or garage.

Gas meter, propane tank, or oil valve if fuel-fired equipment is present. Write N/A if the house is all-electric.

Example: copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized steel. Note lead or polybutylene if you see it.

Example: PVC, ABS, cast iron, copper. ASHI and InterNACHI ask you to describe predominant visible materials.

Gallons or kW from the rating plate. Leave blank if the label is missing or not readable.

Inspection station

Water supply

Judge pressure by flow and symptoms only. Do not mark Pass or Fail from a psi number on this form. InterNACHI and ASHI do not require measuring pressure. IRC P2903.3.2 caps static pressure at 80 psi when a gauge is used; EPA WaterSense says fixtures often run best around 45 to 60 psi. Those are not the same test.

10 items
Water supply

Main water shutoff present and accessible

Find it and record the location in Property. Do not force a seized valve. InterNACHI inspects the main shutoff and is not required to operate valves.

Main water shutoff present and accessible: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible supply piping identified and serviceable

Name the predominant material on the Property line. Look for kinks, crushing, unsupported runs, and corrosion at joints.

Visible supply piping identified and serviceable: OK, Defect, or N/A

No deteriorated galvanized, lead, or polybutylene on visible runs

Mark N/A if none of those materials are visible. If you see them, describe location and condition in Notes. InterNACHI is not required to hunt for polybutylene that is concealed.

No deteriorated galvanized, lead, or polybutylene on visible runs: OK, Defect, or N/A

No active leaks on visible supply piping and valves

Look at joints, stops, and the meter or well-side piping you can see. InterNACHI requires reporting active plumbing water leaks observed during the inspection.

No active leaks on visible supply piping and valves: OK, Defect, or N/A

Functional flow with two fixtures run at once

Open two fixtures on the same supply (for example two faucets, or a tub and a lavatory). Report a clear drop that starves one fixture. InterNACHI uses this visual check instead of a flow-rate number.

Functional flow with two fixtures run at once: OK, Defect, or N/A

No obvious high or low pressure symptoms

Low: weak flow at several fixtures. High: repeated dripping, slamming valves, or weeping at stems. Do not invent a psi Pass/Fail. Leave Notes blank unless you actually used a gauge.

No obvious high or low pressure symptoms: OK, Defect, or N/A

Water hammer not observed when valves close

Mark N/A if you did not hear or feel banging. IRC P2903.5 requires arrestors where quick-closing valves are used. This line is observation only, not a design review.

Water hammer not observed when valves close: OK, Defect, or N/A

Water meter still when all fixtures are off

Public water only. With every fixture and appliance off, the leak indicator should not move. EPA WaterSense: if the meter changes after a two-hour no-use period, you probably have a leak. Mark N/A on a well or if the meter is not accessible.

Water meter still when all fixtures are off: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible supply piping supported and protected at framing

Hangers present on exposed runs. Protection plates where pipe is close to the face of studs. Mark N/A if all supply is concealed.

Visible supply piping supported and protected at framing: OK, Defect, or N/A

Supply in unheated spaces not split or heavily corroded

Garage, crawl, or attic runs you can see. Look for freeze splits and missing insulation. Mark N/A if there are no unheated runs in view.

Supply in unheated spaces not split or heavily corroded: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Fixtures

Run water at kitchen, baths, laundry, and toilets. Mark N/A on fixtures that are not installed. Do not flood-test shower pans. InterNACHI does not require testing pans, surrounds, or washer connections.

14 items
Fixtures

Kitchen sink faucet: no drip, hot and cold work

EPA WaterSense: a faucet dripping once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. Check the sprayer if one is installed.

Kitchen sink faucet: no drip, hot and cold work: OK, Defect, or N/A

Kitchen sink supply stops and drain connections dry

Look under the sink for dripping stops, supply lines, basket strainer, and trap joints. EPA: look under sinks for leaks at pipe connections and water spots.

Kitchen sink supply stops and drain connections dry: OK, Defect, or N/A

Food waste disposer drain connection if present

Mark N/A if there is no disposer. Confirm it drains and the connection is not leaking. IAPMO: a domestic disposer shares the sink trap; do not add a second trap.

Food waste disposer drain connection if present: OK, Defect, or N/A

Dishwasher supply and drain if present

Mark N/A if none. Look for a leaking supply valve and a high drain loop or air gap where you can see it. Do not run a full cycle unless you came to do that.

Dishwasher supply and drain if present: OK, Defect, or N/A

Bathroom lavatory faucets, stops, and cabinet leaks

Every lavatory: drip, hot and cold, supply stops, and the cabinet floor. Repeat for each bathroom and note which room in Notes if one fails.

Bathroom lavatory faucets, stops, and cabinet leaks: OK, Defect, or N/A

Tubs and showers: fill, drain, and no drip at spout or head

Functional drainage only. Visual check of surrounds. InterNACHI does not require filling pans to test for leaks. EPA: a showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year.

Tubs and showers: fill, drain, and no drip at spout or head: OK, Defect, or N/A

Hot and cold not reversed on a sample of faucets

Hot on the left is the usual US layout. InterNACHI requires reporting deficiencies in hot and cold faucet installation.

Hot and cold not reversed on a sample of faucets: OK, Defect, or N/A

Mechanical drain stops in sinks and tubs operate if installed

Mark N/A if the fixture has no stopper. InterNACHI reports missing or inoperative mechanical drain stops when they are installed.

Mechanical drain stops in sinks and tubs operate if installed: OK, Defect, or N/A

Toilets flush, refill, sit solid, and are not leaking

Flush each toilet. Check loose closet bolts, tank-to-bowl leaks, running fill valves, and damaged china. InterNACHI requires reporting those defects.

Toilets flush, refill, sit solid, and are not leaking: OK, Defect, or N/A

Toilet tank dye test: no color in the bowl after 10 minutes

EPA WaterSense: a few drops of food coloring in the tank; color in the bowl after 10 minutes means a flapper leak. Flush after the test. Mark N/A if you are not allowed to dye the tank.

Toilet tank dye test: no color in the bowl after 10 minutes: OK, Defect, or N/A

Toilet supply stops present and not dripping

Angle stop at each toilet. Do not force a seized valve. Note a missing stop as a defect.

Toilet supply stops present and not dripping: OK, Defect, or N/A

Laundry tub or washer standpipe: faucet, drain, and no overflow stains

IAPMO: a clothes washer and a laundry tub each need a trap, except a tub trap may also take an adjacent washer. Standpipe should not overflow onto the floor. Washer hoses: visual only if the machine allows; InterNACHI and ASHI do not require inspecting washer connections.

Laundry tub or washer standpipe: faucet, drain, and no overflow stains: OK, Defect, or N/A

Fixture supply stops at sinks accessible and not dripping

Hot and cold stops under kitchen and bath sinks. Present, reachable, not seeping. Do not operate seized valves.

Fixture supply stops at sinks accessible and not dripping: OK, Defect, or N/A

Jetted or hydromassage tub: GFCI readily accessible

Mark N/A if there is no jetted tub. IRC E4209.2 (NEC 680.71): the tub and associated electrical parts on an individual branch circuit with a readily accessible GFCI; receptacles within 6 feet also GFCI. This is the electrical-adjacent line only, not a full electrical inspection.

Jetted or hydromassage tub: GFCI readily accessible: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Drains, traps, vents, and cleanouts

This section is the drain, waste, and vent system, not fixture faucets. Concealed slope and buried laterals cannot be verified. Do not inspect a septic tank or drainfield here.

12 items
Drains, traps, vents, and cleanouts

Sinks, tubs, and showers drain without backup or overflow

InterNACHI: inspect sinks, tubs, and showers for functional drainage. Gurgling or a slow drain belongs here, not under Water supply.

Sinks, tubs, and showers drain without backup or overflow: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible fixture traps are P-traps or integral traps, with water in the seal

IPC 1002.4 and IAPMO UPC 1005.1: liquid seal not less than 2 inches and not more than 4 inches. IPC 1002.3 prohibits S-traps. You can usually see the trap shape under a sink; do not claim a measured seal depth unless you actually measured it.

Visible fixture traps are P-traps or integral traps, with water in the seal: OK, Defect, or N/A

Visible tailpieces not excessively long

IPC 1002.1 and IAPMO UPC 1001.2: vertical distance from fixture outlet to trap weir not more than 24 inches. Mark N/A if the tailpiece is concealed.

Visible tailpieces not excessively long: OK, Defect, or N/A

Floor drain traps hold water or have primer or barrier protection

Mark N/A if there is no floor drain. A dry trap lets sewer gas in. IPC 1002.4.1 requires protection against evaporation on emergency floor drains. Pour a little water if the trap looks dry. InterNACHI is not required to inspect floor drains; include them when they are in view.

Floor drain traps hold water or have primer or barrier protection: OK, Defect, or N/A

No sewer gas odor at fixtures or unused rooms

ASHI: odor in a little-used bath or basement is often a dry trap or a damaged vent. Refill traps before calling it a broken pipe.

No sewer gas odor at fixtures or unused rooms: OK, Defect, or N/A

No gurgling or trap siphon when nearby fixtures drain

A gulp or emptying trap when another fixture is used is a venting symptom. IAPMO: each trap needs vent protection so pressure stays balanced.

No gurgling or trap siphon when nearby fixtures drain: OK, Defect, or N/A

Plumbing vents through the roof are open and not capped

View from the ground. Do not walk the roof unless you are equipped to. IRC P3103.1.1: open vents terminating through a roof not less than 6 inches above the roof, or 6 inches above anticipated snow, whichever is greater. Mark N/A if you cannot see the terminations.

Plumbing vents through the roof are open and not capped: OK, Defect, or N/A

Building drain or stack cleanouts present and accessible

IRC P3005.2: cleanouts on horizontal drains at not more than 100 feet, at the building drain and sewer junction, and where direction changes more than 45 degrees. They must not be concealed. InterNACHI is not required to decide whether there are enough cleanouts for snaking. Report missing or buried ones you expected to see.

Building drain or stack cleanouts present and accessible: OK, Defect, or N/A

Exposed drain piping slopes toward the stack, without sags holding water

Basement or crawl waste you can see. IRC P3005.3 and IPC 704.1: not less than 1/4 inch per foot for pipe 2-1/2 inches and smaller, 1/8 inch per foot for 3 inches and larger. You cannot verify slope inside walls.

Exposed drain piping slopes toward the stack, without sags holding water: OK, Defect, or N/A

Drainage sump pump with accessible float operates if present

Mark N/A if there is no sump. InterNACHI inspects drainage sump pumps with accessible floats. Lift the float only if it is reachable and safe. ASHI does not require judging long-term effectiveness.

Drainage sump pump with accessible float operates if present: OK, Defect, or N/A

Sewage ejector or grinder if present: cover sealed, no sewage on the floor

Mark N/A if none. ASHI includes sewage ejectors among items to inspect when visible. Do not open a sealed basin.

Sewage ejector or grinder if present: cover sealed, no sewage on the floor: OK, Defect, or N/A

Building drain to sewer or septic: house cleanout capped, no sewage at the foundation

This is the connection at the house only. Do not inspect the septic tank, drainfield, or dosing equipment. ASHI and InterNACHI do not require inspecting wastewater treatment systems. Use a dedicated septic inspection for the tank and field.

Building drain to sewer or septic: house cleanout capped, no sewage at the foundation: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Water heater connections and T&P

Connections, T&P discharge, pan, and fuel vent attachment only. Do not flush the tank, replace an anode, or lift the T&P lever. InterNACHI is not required to operate temperature/pressure-relief valves. This is not a water heater maintenance log.

11 items
Water heater connections and T&P

Water heater accessible for observation, maintenance access not blocked

IPC 501.4 and IRC P2801.4: locate and connect so there is access for observation, maintenance, servicing, and replacement.

Water heater accessible for observation, maintenance access not blocked: OK, Defect, or N/A

Energy source identified and matches the labeled appliance

Electric, gas, oil, heat pump, or solar. InterNACHI and ASHI require describing the water heating equipment including the energy source. Record capacity on the Property line if the plate is readable.

Energy source identified and matches the labeled appliance: OK, Defect, or N/A

T&P valve present; no shutoff between the valve and the tank

IRC P2804.1 and IPC 504.4: storage water heaters need temperature and pressure relief. IRC P2804.6: no check or shutoff between the relief valve and the tank.

T&P valve present; no shutoff between the valve and the tank: OK, Defect, or N/A

T&P discharge pipe: full size, not trapped, air gap, terminates within 6 inches of the floor or receptor

IRC P2804.6.1 and IPC 504.6: not tied directly into the drain, air gap in the same room, same diameter as the valve outlet, no valves or tees, not trapped, gravity flow, termination not more than 6 inches above the floor or flood rim and not less than two pipe diameters above it, no threaded cap on the end. Do not operate the valve to test it.

T&P discharge pipe: full size, not trapped, air gap, terminates within 6 inches of the floor or receptor: OK, Defect, or N/A

Cold-water shutoff at the heater serving only the heater

IPC 503.1: a valve on the cold branch near the heater, accessible on the same floor, that does not shut off cold water to the rest of the house.

Cold-water shutoff at the heater serving only the heater: OK, Defect, or N/A

No leaks at supply unions, drain valve, or tank fittings

Visual only. IRC P2801.2 and IPC 501.3 require a drain valve with a hose thread. Do not flush the tank on this inspection.

No leaks at supply unions, drain valve, or tank fittings: OK, Defect, or N/A

Drain pan and pan drain where a leak would damage the structure

IRC P2801.6 and IPC 504.7: pan required where leakage would cause damage. Pan drain not less than 3/4 inch, terminating over a receptor or outdoors 6 to 24 inches above grade. Replacement heaters may omit a pan drain if none existed. Mark N/A on a drain floor or outdoors where a pan is not required.

Drain pan and pan drain where a leak would damage the structure: OK, Defect, or N/A

Seismic straps on the upper and lower third if this area requires them

IRC P2801.8: in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2 (and townhouses in C), strap the upper third and lower third. InterNACHI inspects seismic bracing. Mark N/A outside those categories or if local rules do not require straps.

Seismic straps on the upper and lower third if this area requires them: OK, Defect, or N/A

Fuel-fired: vent connector attached and not disconnected

Mark N/A if electric or heat pump with no combustion vent. InterNACHI inspects venting connections and is not required to inspect flue interiors or combustion air.

Fuel-fired: vent connector attached and not disconnected: OK, Defect, or N/A

Garage installation: ignition source 18 inches above the floor unless listed FVIR

IRC P2801.7. Mark N/A if the heater is not in a garage, or if it is listed as flammable vapor ignition-resistant.

Garage installation: ignition source 18 inches above the floor unless listed FVIR: OK, Defect, or N/A

Thermal-expansion control present if a check valve or PRV is on the supply

IRC P2903.4.2: where a backflow preventer or check valve is installed with a storage water heater, a device for controlling thermal expansion is required. Mark N/A if no closed-system device is visible.

Thermal-expansion control present if a check valve or PRV is on the supply: OK, Defect, or N/A

Inspection station

Outdoor, hose bibs, and below-grade waste

Hose bibs, an irrigation tie-in if one exists, a private well head if one exists, and visible waste in a crawl or basement. Do not inspect sprinkler heads, a well pump, or a septic field.

8 items
Outdoor, hose bibs, and below-grade waste

Exterior hose bibs present and not leaking at the valve or wall

Operate each sillcock briefly. Look for water at the handle, spout, and where the pipe meets the siding.

Exterior hose bibs present and not leaking at the valve or wall: OK, Defect, or N/A

Hose bibs have a vacuum breaker or integral anti-siphon

IRC P2902.4.3: sillcocks, hose bibbs, wall hydrants, and other hose openings need an atmospheric or pressure vacuum breaker, a PVB assembly, or a permanently attached hose-connection vacuum breaker. Exceptions: water-heater drain valves and washer valves with other backflow protection.

Hose bibs have a vacuum breaker or integral anti-siphon: OK, Defect, or N/A

Freeze-climate hose bibs are frost-proof or have an interior shutoff and drain

Mark N/A in climates that do not freeze. A frost-proof sillcock drains only with the hose removed. EPA: check the garden hose at the spigot for a leaking washer.

Freeze-climate hose bibs are frost-proof or have an interior shutoff and drain: OK, Defect, or N/A

Irrigation tie-in: backflow preventer present and not leaking if a system is connected

Mark N/A if there is no irrigation. This is the potable-side connection only. InterNACHI and ASHI do not require inspecting lawn sprinkler systems. EPA WaterSense: have a certified pro check an in-ground system in spring.

Irrigation tie-in: backflow preventer present and not leaking if a system is connected: OK, Defect, or N/A

Private well: cap or sanitary seal in place, casing above grade, ground slopes away

Mark N/A on public water. EPA: install a well cap or sanitary seal; do not cut the casing below the land surface; slope runoff away; inspect for a cracked casing or missing cap. Do not test water quality here. EPA asks well owners to test annually for coliform, nitrates, TDS, and pH. InterNACHI and ASHI do not require inspecting well pumps or tanks.

Private well: cap or sanitary seal in place, casing above grade, ground slopes away: OK, Defect, or N/A

Crawl or basement visible waste: no leaks, heavy corrosion, or standing sewage

Mark N/A if there is no crawl or basement, or it is not accessible. Look at exposed DWV only. Supply leaks belong under Water supply.

Crawl or basement visible waste: no leaks, heavy corrosion, or standing sewage: OK, Defect, or N/A

Exterior or grade cleanout for the building sewer accessible and capped

IRC P3005.2.3: a cleanout at the building drain and building sewer junction, or within 10 feet upstream. Below-grade cleanouts should be brought to grade. Mark N/A if the junction is not visible and no yard cleanout exists to check.

Exterior or grade cleanout for the building sewer accessible and capped: OK, Defect, or N/A

No sewage on the ground at the house connection

Wet soil, sewage odor, or effluent at the foundation or cleanout is a defect. Stop at the house. A dedicated septic inspection covers the tank and drainfield.

No sewage on the ground at the house connection: OK, Defect, or N/A

Form details

Defects and sign-off

List every Defect line here. This worksheet is not a licensed inspection report and not an official code inspection.

5 fields
Defects and sign-off

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References

  1. InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards of Practice, section 3.6 Plumbing
  2. ASHI Standard of Practice for Home Inspections, section 7 Plumbing (2026)
  3. ASHI, Plumbing System (what a home inspection covers)
  4. International Residential Code, Chapter 28 Water Heaters (P2804.6.1 T&P discharge)
  5. International Residential Code, Chapter 29 Water Supply and Distribution (P2902.4.3 hose bibbs, P2903.3.2 maximum pressure)
  6. International Residential Code, P3005.3 Horizontal Drainage Piping Slope
  7. International Residential Code, Chapter 31 Vents (P3103.1.1 roof extension)
  8. International Plumbing Code, Chapter 5 Water Heaters (504.6 discharge piping)
  9. International Plumbing Code, Chapter 10 Traps (1002.4 trap seals 2 to 4 inches)
  10. IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code, 1005.1 Trap Seals
  11. IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code, 1001.2 Traps Where Required
  12. IRC E4209 Hydromassage Bathtubs (GFCI, NEC 680.71)
  13. EPA WaterSense, Fix a Leak Week
  14. EPA WaterSense, Home Maintenance
  15. EPA, Protect Your Home's Water (private wells)

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