23-point inspection: supply-line condition, water pressure, shut-off valves, water heater health, fixture leaks, drain flow, and sewer camera on request. Catches problems before they flood.
Plumbing Inspection is one part of our plumbing maintenance coverage in Iowa. For the full picture — symptoms, costs, and when to repair vs. replace — start with the complete Plumbing Maintenance guide, or browse every plumbing maintenance service we offer.
A plumbing inspection catches the small problems that turn into floods, and the math is straightforward: a $99 inspection that finds a corroded shut-off valve or a water heater at end-of-life costs a fraction of the emergency call when that valve fails or the tank ruptures. Our 23-point inspection covers every part of the system that can leak, back up, or lose pressure — supply lines, shut-off valves, the pressure-reducing valve, water pressure at the hose bib, the water heater and its anode rod, every fixture and its supply lines, drain flow, and the accessible sewer cleanout.
Every inspection includes a written report listing each component checked, its condition (Good / Watch / Action), and an estimate for any flagged item. We don't pressure-sell — if your system is in good shape and only the water pressure needs a small adjustment, the report will say so and you'll be on your way. Most homes go 2–3 years between inspections with no other service required, longer if the water is soft and the pipe is modern.
Inspections are also the right call before buying or selling a home. We provide a signed report a homeowner can hand to a buyer or an insurer, which heads off one of the most common inspection-period negotiations — an unknown water heater age or a mystery stain on a ceiling. The same report satisfies insurance audits and rental-property compliance.
Signs you need plumbing inspection
It's been more than two years
Two to three years is the recommended cadence for most homes, sooner if you're on a well, have hard water, or run older galvanized or polybutylene pipe that corrodes faster.
Water pressure feels off
Pressure that's crept up (banging pipes, running toilets) or dropped (weak showers) points to a failing pressure-reducing valve or corroding supply lines. An inspection measures actual PSI and locates the cause.
Weak showers or banging pipes? Pressure diagnosed and fixed.
Water heater age unknown
If you don't know how old the tank is — common after buying a home — an inspection reads the serial number, checks the anode rod, and tells you how much life is left before it becomes an emergency.
Old stains or past leaks
A faint ceiling stain or a repaired wall may mark an active slow leak or one that's about to return. An inspection with a moisture check confirms whether it's dry or weeping.
Buying or selling a home
A signed inspection report from a licensed plumber preempts inspection-period surprises on the plumbing — a small, consistent win on any home transaction.
Common causes & what we fix
Corroding shut-off valves
Angle stops and the main shut-off seize and weep with age, so the one valve you need in an emergency won't turn. An inspection exercises and flags them before you need them.
Anode rod depletion
The sacrificial rod that protects a water heater tank is consumed over 4–6 years. Once it's gone, the tank corrodes. Inspecting and replacing the rod adds years to the tank.
Pressure creep
Municipal pressure and a failing PRV can push house pressure well past the safe 80 PSI, stressing every fitting and fixture. Annual measurement catches it before something bursts.
Slow supply-line corrosion
Galvanized and older copper close up and pit from the inside on a slow curve. Inspection catches the first signs — discolored water, weak branches — while replacement is still a planned job.
Hidden fixture and supply leaks
Braided supply lines, hose bibs, and toilet fill valves weep slowly out of sight. Inspection finds the drip before it rots a cabinet floor or spikes the water bill.
Our process
1
Call or schedule online. Book your plumbing inspection in Iowa online or by phone and pick a 2-hour window. We confirm in under five minutes with the assigned tech's name and photo.
2
On-site diagnosis. On arrival we diagnose the plumbing inspection on-site — free for most repairs, $39 on minor service calls (waived if you proceed). You see the issue and the fix before we start.
3
Flat-rate quote. You get a flat-rate plumbing inspection quote in writing, good for 30 days — no hourly creep and no add-ons after the fact.
4
Same-visit fix. Most plumbing inspection work finishes the same visit: our trucks carry the common valves, fittings, water heater parts, and fixtures, so a second trip is rare.
How much does plumbing inspection cost in Iowa?
Plumbing Inspection the United States starts at $99 flat, every plumbing inspection quote is flat-rate and presented in writing before work begins — no surprise add-ons, no hourly creep. Seniors (65+) and military save 10% on labor, and financing covers projects over $1,500 at 0% APR for 12 months, with no prepayment penalty.
Why homeowners in Iowa choose us for plumbing inspection
We've been a trusted choice since 1974 — over 50 years of family-owned plumbing service across Iowa. Our techs are CSLB-licensed (#1098234), background-checked, and complete an internal 12-week training program before rolling on calls alone.
Our plumbing inspection carries a 10-year workmanship guarantee — separate from any manufacturer warranty on the parts themselves. If the plumbing inspection we performed fails because of how we did it, we come back and fix it free for a full decade. Water heaters and fixtures we install are backed by their full manufacturer warranty, and the parts and accessories we fit carry standard 1–5 year warranties by item.
We quote plumbing inspection on honest scope: no unnecessary up-sell, salaried (never commissioned) technicians, and a transparent diagnostic so you see exactly what we see — including the parts still in good shape. If a repair is the right call we say so; if replacement is the better long-term economics, we say that. The flat-rate plumbing inspection quote is written and good for 30 days.
Areas we serve for plumbing inspection
We provide plumbing inspection throughout Iowa, with fast coverage in every major Iowa metro.
Reach times for plumbing inspection vary by traffic and time of day, so we quote an accurate ETA when you call — and the dispatch line routes straight to an on-call technician, no voicemail in between.
Frequently asked about plumbing inspection
Top questions homeowners searching for Plumbing Inspection near me ask us:
What's included in the 23-point check?
Main shut-off and every fixture stop, water pressure at the bib, the pressure-reducing valve, supply-line material and condition, water heater age, T&P valve, and anode rod, expansion tank, every faucet and toilet for leaks, drain flow at each fixture, visible pipe for corrosion, the washing-machine and dishwasher connections, the accessible sewer cleanout, and hose bibs and their vacuum breakers.
Do I have to be home?
We prefer you're home so we can walk through the report together, but it's not required. Many homeowners book while they're at work and we leave the written report and any flagged estimates.
How long does an inspection take?
Most inspections run 60–90 minutes. Add time for an optional sewer camera run or if the home is large with many fixtures and a complex water heater setup.
Can you inspect a home I'm about to buy?
Yes — a pre-purchase plumbing inspection reads the water heater age, tests pressure, checks for active leaks, and can run a sewer camera so you know the condition of the buried lateral before you close.
Is it worth it on a newer home?
The first couple of years usually don't require service, but an inspection catches builder shortcuts — an unstrapped heater, a missing expansion tank, over-pressure with no PRV — before they become warranty fights or floods.