How Much Does a Plumbing Inspection Cost?

If you've been ignoring a pesky leaking faucet, strange pipe gurglings or annoyingly weak water pressure, trouble could be lurking in your plumbing system.

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A plumbing inspection allows you to check for hidden issues that could otherwise lead to a watery disaster— no X-ray vision required.

What Is a Plumbing Inspection?

A plumbing inspection involves checking the condition of your home's pipework and plumbing fixtures. During a basic visual inspection, a licensed plumber will walk around your home and look for signs of damage to your pipes, faucets and water valves. They'll also check for mold, discoloration and other signs of hidden leaks.

A plumbing video inspection is more comprehensive and requires specialized cameras. Plumbers use these cameras to look inside pipes and drains, allowing them to detect damage invisible to the naked eye. Many plumbers use a combination of visual and camera checks to generate a plumbing inspection report, which gives you a detailed overview of your system's condition.

Hiring a plumber to conduct an inspection can help you diagnose issues such as leaks and clogs that could escalate into major problems. Water can cause severe damage to your home, so discovering and repairing these issues can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Many homeowners schedule regular plumbing inspections every two years to keep their systems in perfect working order.

What Does a Plumbing Inspection Include?

What a plumbing home inspection includes depends on which fixtures you have in your home. However, most inspectors check the following elements of your plumbing system:

• Water heaters

• Exposed plumbing

• Caulking

• Toilets

• Showers

• Outdoor taps

• Faucets

• Showerheads

• Drains

• Sewer pipes

• Sump pumps

• Fridges, dishwashers and other appliances connected to the water supply

During the inspection, your plumber will ensure you have the correct permits to meet your jurisdiction's building codes. If you have an older home, they'll likely check whether you have lead pipes. Lead contained in pipes can dissolve into your water supply and cause neurological problems, kidney damage and other potentially serious health problems when consumed.

Your plumbing report may include recommendations for repairing or improving your system. For example, your plumber may recommend replacing corroded pipes to prevent future leaks and clogs.

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How Much Does a Plumbing Inspection Cost?

According to HomeGuide, a visual plumbing inspection costs around $100 to $200 (CAD 137 to CAD 274) on average. Charges depend on the size of your home and the going rate for labor in your area. Your plumber may charge more than average if they experience difficulties accessing parts of your system.

How Much Does a Plumbing Camera Inspection Cost?

Plumbing camera inspections are more expensive because they require costly equipment. Most plumbers charge between $300 and $1,100 (CAD 410 and CAD 1,505) on average for a camera inspection and $400 to $1,300 (CAD 547 to CAD 1,778) for a combined visual and video inspection.

What Factors Impact the Cost of a Plumbing Inspection?

Depending on your setup, you may require your plumber to check additional plumbing systems. Inspecting a well typically costs $250 to $550 (CAD 342 to CAD 752), plus an additional $100 to $350 (CAD 137 to CAD 479) for water testing. Meanwhile, a routine septic system inspection costs $150 to $450 (CAD 205 to CAD 616) on average. Some plumbers offer combined well and septic inspections, usually costing between $400 and $650 (CAD 547 and CAD 889).

You may pay more for a plumbing inspection if you require emergency assistance. For example, you may need an emergency inspection if you notice sudden, severe water damage to your home but can't determine the cause. Plumbers typically charge $100 to $500 (CAD 137 to CAD 684) extra for short notice or out-of-hours services.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.