A plumbing inspection could cost anywhere from $200 to $800 or more, depending on different factors. However, the upfront costs that come with a plumbing inspection could help catch issues early on and save a homeowner thousands down the line.

The miracle of running water and interior plumbing is easy to take for granted—until you’re dealing with a burst pipe or a sewage backup. But scheduling routine plumbing inspections can help you catch minor plumbing problems before they become more serious. And if you’re thinking about buying a home, a plumbing inspection can help you decide whether the house you’re interested in is actually worth the price.

In comparison to more extensive problems that could go unnoticed without them, the costs that come with a plumbing inspection are almost always worth it. Courtesy of

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, here’s an introductory guide on what to expect from a home plumbing inspection.

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How much does a plumbing inspection cost?

The average plumbing inspection costs about $200. However, that can vary based on different factors, such as:

Your location

The size of your home

The materials and equipment your plumbing system uses

The type of inspection

Generally, there are two main types of plumbing inspections: visual inspections and camera inspections.

They’re both pretty much what they sound like. During a visual plumbing inspection, a plumbing professional will look for signs of leaks and loose connections. They’ll also make sure you have running water where you’re supposed to and that it drains properly.

A standard visual plumbing inspection will usually involve looking at:

Sinks

Toilets

Water heaters

Plumbing fixtures, indoors and outdoors

Plumbing lines and their connections

Visual plumbing inspections cost, on average, about $200, according to

HomeAdvisor

Sometimes, the most dangerous plumbing problems are the ones that go unseen—which is where more in-depth camera inspections can come in handy. A camera inspection involves the usage of cameras to inspect the interior of pipes running through your home to catch more substantial plumbing issues that you wouldn’t be able to notice otherwise.

Camera plumbing inspections will be a little more expensive, with an average cost of about $700.

Looking for the best of both worlds? The average cost of a combination camera and visual inspection is about $800.

However, it’s possible that depending on the circumstances of the inspection and what kinds of equipment the plumber needs, inspection costs could extend into the thousands.

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Do I need a plumbing inspection?

Plumbing inspections are useful—essential, even—in a variety of contexts. The following are some of the most common situations when you would want to schedule a plumbing inspection:

As part of regular home maintenance/upkeep

If you notice signs of plumbing problems

Before buying or selling a home

Ahead of a renovation project

Regular home maintenance

With regular plumbing inspections, you’re more likely to catch minor plumbing issues early on before they become more damaging—and expensive.

A good rule of thumb is to have your home’s plumbing inspectedevery one to two years. If you live in an older home with an older system, or you’ve dealt with recurring plumbing problems before, you might need to have your plumbing inspected more often to make sure it stays in good working order.

Buying or selling a home

When you’re considering buying a home and you’ve made it to the inspection process, in addition to having a general home inspection, it’s a good idea to consider a plumbing inspection.

If your plumbing inspection brings back good news, it can bring you added peace of mind. On the other hand, if it reveals substantial problems with the home’s plumbing system, it gives you a chance to reassess your offer or decide to walk away from the house completely if it’s too much of a risk.

Plumbing inspections are useful on the other end of a real estate deal, too. When you’re selling your home, being able to share an inspection report that shows your plumbing is in good shape can be encouraging to prospective buyers and could help you command a higher selling price.

Planning a renovation

If you’re staying put in your home but planning big changes for it with a renovation, a plumbing inspection can help you assess whether any changes or upgrades will need to be made to your current plumbing system as part of the renovation—or whether they could get in the way of the renovation plans you had in mind.

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Signs of plumbing problems

While some plumbing problems can be hidden from sight, others are fairly obvious. Out of those you’re able to notice, it can sometimes be hard to tell whether the problem at hand is more of an annoyance or a symptom of something more serious.

Here are a few red flags that might signal it’s time to call in a plumber for an inspection:

Low water pressure: If you jump in the shower and notice a drop in water pressure, it might not be just an inconvenience—especially if you notice the same throughout your home. Lower water pressure could be a sign that there’s a blockage in a water line or that there’s a leak somewhere in the system.

More expensive water bills: A leaking faucet or a constantly running toilet may not seem like a huge problem initially, but they can waste a jaw-dropping amount of water when left unaddressed. If you notice a rise in your monthly water bill, it’s possible you might have an undetected leak on your hands.

Slow drainage, or drains that repeatedly clog or back up: Sometimes a single drain clog is just a matter of too much hair. But if multiple drains are slow to empty, or you’re repeatedly dealing with clogging drains or toilets, it’s possible you could be dealing with a sewer line blockage.

Rusting water pipes: While some of your home’s water pipes might be hidden behind walls, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the ones you can see—like under your sink or in your basement. If you notice signs of rusting, corrosion, or other wear—or if your water starts to come out discolored—these could all be signs you’re at risk for pipe leaks or bursts.

Foul smells: Has your home smelled a little more… pungent than usual? Scents of sulfur or rotten eggs could suggest a natural gas leak or a sewage problem. While the former is more immediately dangerous, both are issues you shouldn’t delay addressing. Prolonged exposure to sewer gases can be harmful to your health, and cleaning up after a sewage backup can get seriously expensive.

Mold or mildew: As mold and mildew spread, they can exacerbate health problems and weaken a home’s construction materials. If you’ve discovered a plumbing problem in your house has given way to mold or mildew, you’ll want to start containing the problem as soon as possible.

Water stains on walls or ceilings: Mysterious stains on walls or ceilings aren’t just unsightly—they can often be indicative of damage from a leaking pipe. The same goes for paint or wallpaper that starts peeling away. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more risk there is that your home could develop mold or mildew problems.

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Plumbing repair costs

If your plumbing inspection reveals the need for repairs, how much should you expect to spend?

The answer to that depends on the type of repair(s), the extent of any damage, and what labor costs are like where you live.

Generally speaking, though, here are what average costs can look like for different kinds of plumbing repairs based on data from

HomeAdvisor

Unclogging drains: $100 to $300

Toilet repair: $100 to $400

Septic tank pump: $300 to $600

Repairing a water shutoff valve: $300 to $600

Rerouting plumbing: $600 to $1,500+

Repairing sewer lines: $1,200 to $4,600

While it might not always be appealing to spend a few hundred dollars on a plumbing inspection, catching plumbing problems before they become more serious can save you thousands in the long run.

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How to find a reliable plumber

A plumbing inspection is essential for finding and fixing minor issues before they cause more costly problems in your home. But when you’re looking for peace of mind, you’re going to need to be able to trust the plumber you’ve hired knows what they’re doing.

Here are a few tips for finding a reliable plumber to inspect your home’s plumbing system:

Read customer reviews: Reading a plumbing business’s reviews across platforms can help give you a sense of what other customers’ experiences have been like.

BBB accreditation

can be an added reassurance, too.

Ask for recommendations: Don’t just take the internet’s word for it—it also helps to get recommendations from friends, family members, or colleagues on what plumbing businesses they’d swear by—and which ones they’d avoid.

Pay attention to what areas they specialize in: Some plumbers are generalists, while others may offer specialized services in certain areas, which can prove useful depending on your particular area(s) of concern.

Make sure they’re properly licensed and insured: License and insurance requirements for plumbers can vary by state. Verifying they have proper credentials can give you peace of mind that they have the necessary training as well as the right coverage if something were to go wrong on their end during the inspection process.

Once you find the right plumber for your inspection, you’re that much closer to ensuring your plumbing system remains reliable and functional.

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Does home insurance cover plumbing repairs?

What if a plumbing inspection reveals you need repairs? Will your home insurance policy pay for that?

It depends on the extent of your coverage and the reason repairs are needed.

Generally, home insurance is meant to cover the costs of damage after unexpected events. Under a standard home insurance policy, that unexpected event would need to be listed as a named peril in your home insurance policy. Common examples of named perils include fires, windstorms, or fallen objects.

Some home insurance policies offer coverage for burst pipes or sewage backups, but they might be add-ons you’d have to request. And if the cause of your plumbing problems is determined to be caused by general wear and tear or a failure to keep up with regular home maintenance tasks, it’s less likely you’ll be able to see coverage.

In situations where a plumbing repair might be covered under your home insurance policy, being able to document you’ve had plumbing inspections in the past can demonstrate you’re a responsible homeowner and you’ve been staying on top of maintenance. That could help increase the odds that your claim is approved.

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