Visual inspection – A visual plumbing inspection costs $100 to $200 and includes only a visual assessment of the plumbing pipes, water lines, drains, fixtures, and water heaters.
Camera or video inspection – A camera or video plumbing inspection costs $300 to $1,100. The plumber feeds a high-resolution camera on a narrow cable through the pipes and water lines to locate blockages or identify issues.
Combination inspection – Plumbers charge $400 to $1,300 for a combined visual and camera inspection.
What is a plumbing inspection?
During a plumbing inspection, plumbers look for leaks, damage, or corrosion and make sure these fixtures are installed properly:
Toilets
Sinks
Bathtubs and showers
Faucets
Pipes and fittings
Appliances that use water
Water heaters
Main shut-off valve
Sump pumps
Outdoor hose bibs
Some plumbers also perform water pressure and water quality checks during the inspection.
How long does a plumbing inspection take?
A plumbing inspection typically takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size of your home and whether the plumber notices any issues along the way. Camera and combination inspections usually take longer than basic visual inspections because they're more thorough and require extra equipment.
Do I need a plumbing inspection?
Professionals recommend plumbing inspections every 1 to 2 years or before buying or selling a home. A standard home inspection costs$250 to $500+ but typically doesn't include a thorough evaluation of the plumbing.
You should also get an inspection if you notice:
Ongoing water temperature fluctuations
Strange sounds coming from your pipes
Odors in drains.
Regular inspections can help you catch issues before they escalate, which will prevent more costly repairs.
How do I choose a plumbing inspector?
Before hiring a plumbing inspector near you, follow these steps:
Get at least three inspection estimates to compare.
Look for plumbing companies that have 5+ years of experience.
Check out their company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Verify their company's insurance, license, and bonds.
Avoid the lowest quotes as quality may suffer.
Get a written estimate, contract, and warranty before the inspection begins.
Never pay in full before the inspection is done.
What questions do I ask plumbing inspectors?
Ask these questions to find a high-quality inspector:
How long have you been in business?
Do you have any relevant plumbing certifications?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long will this inspection take?
Do you recommend a visual or camera inspection? Why?
Will there be any cleanup afterward, and is it included in this estimate?
What other fees should I expect?
Do you offer a warranty or guarantee on this?
Reviews for San Diego plumbing inspectors
Recent success stories from people in the San Diego area.
Tova S.
Chris came over the evening of the first day we called him and did an excellent job!
We Fix Plumbing
Mary E.
Ernesto was extremely helpful, and was able to get back to me within 20 minutes of submitting a request! He arrived at my house right on time, and was able to identify and fix my drainage issue right away. Being that this issue happened on a weekend, and I needed to be somewhere, I really appreciated how punctual and efficient he was. I didn't want this plumbing issue to take up too much of my day, and with Ernesto it took no more than an hour and everything was fixed. He even took the time to clean up after himself, which says a lot. Thank you so much Ernesto! I highly recommend and will be using him for all my plumbing needs.
E.R Plumbing & Builds co call or text 661-503. 7416
Tony M.
My almost deaf elderly in-laws needed a plumber do to a blocked toilet, and of course this happened on a Saturday. I jumped on Yelp and started calling around and discovered that most companies were not available until later that evening, it was around 12:30 pm when I started. I finally called Solid Plumbing & Drains and Mario answered his phone right away and was sure he could have someone out there in 2 hours. He stated that if they could make it sooner they would let us know, and sure enough they called and were able to arrive within an hour. Mario and his crew were unable to reach the obstruction with a snake and determined it was further down the line. Since there was not an exterior clean-out Mario had to remove the toilet and to clear the blockage....
Solid plumbing & drains inc
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