A general home inspection runs the faucets and looks for obvious drips. A plumbing inspection looks deeper: pipe material and pressure, a camera scope of the sewer lateral, water-heater condition, and signs of past leaks. For sellers, California also requires water-conserving fixtures in older homes at point of sale.
Before you buy: what to inspect
Supply & fixtures
- Pipe material — galvanized or aging pipe often means a repipe is coming
- Water pressure — too low suggests corroded pipe; too high can blow out fixtures
- Shutoff valves that actually operate
- Active or past leaks under sinks, around fixtures, and at the water heater
- Water-conserving fixtures (toilets, showerheads, faucets) — required in older CA homes
Drains & sewer
- A sewer-lateral camera scope for roots, cracks, and bellies
- Slow drains anywhere in the home
- Whether your city requires a sewer-lateral inspection or certificate at sale
- Signs of previous water damage or amateur repairs
Before you sell: California point-of-sale items
California requires certain items to be addressed when a home changes hands. Confirm the specifics with your agent and local jurisdiction.
California point-of-sale plumbing items
- Water-conserving plumbing fixtures in homes built before 1994 (Civil Code §1101 / SB 407)
- Water heater seismic strapping and a code-compliant T&P discharge
- Disclose known leaks, repipes, or sewer work — and whether it was permitted
- Check local sewer-lateral ordinances that may apply at transfer
The sewer scope a standard inspection skips
A standard home inspection almost never includes a sewer-lateral camera scope — yet a cracked or root-invaded lateral is one of the most expensive repairs a home can hand you, and it's invisible from inside the house. A scope before closing is inexpensive insurance.
Buying or selling? A plumbing inspection and sewer scope pay for themselves.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sewer-lateral camera scope and do I need one?
It's a camera run through the sewer line from the house to the street to find roots, cracks, and bellies. It's not part of a standard home inspection, and it's the single best way to avoid a five-figure surprise after closing.
What are California's water-conserving fixture rules?
Under Civil Code §1101 (SB 407), single-family homes built before 1994 must have water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and compliance is disclosed at point of sale. Confirm specifics with your agent.
Does galvanized pipe mean I need a repipe?
Often, eventually — galvanized supply pipe corrodes from the inside, reducing pressure and water quality. We can assess how much life is left and what a repipe would cost so you can plan.
Keep exploring
Reviewed by John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air. Based on how we evaluate residential plumbing (pipe material, pressure, sewer-lateral camera scope, leaks) and California point-of-sale requirements (Civil Code §1101/SB 407 fixtures, water-heater strapping). Local sewer-lateral ordinances vary — confirm with your agent and local jurisdiction. Last updated 2026-06-25.