Where the drainage system cannot drain by gravity to the sewer, an automatic pump or ejector can be used to discharge the soil and waste. The cover for the pump should be tightly sealed (gas-tight). Sumps, other than pneumatic ejectors, should be vented with a minimum 1-1/4-inch diameter vent pipe. Pumps use mechanical methods to discharge, and pneumatic ejectors use air pressure. Grinder pumps and ejectors pulverize solids to a near-liquid state and pump the slurry to the drainage system.

All cleanouts should be accessible or reachable without having to remove a permanent portion of the structure. Cleanouts are designed to make the interior of a drainage system accessible for clearing stoppages without inconvenience, dismantling wall or ceiling finishes, or disturbing the sanitary drainage system.Cleanout plugs are very common. They are usually located at changes in direction in a drain line and at the bottom of stacks. Cleanouts should be installed to open and allow cleaning in the direction of the flow of the drainage pipe, or at right angles thereto. They must be water-tight and gas-tight. A cleanout plug can be made of brass or plastic. A cleanout plug should have a raised square or a counter-sunk square head where a trip hazard may exist. The square shape minimizes the possibility of stripping the plug during removal.

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Ball valves are less restrictive to flow than other valves. The handle clearly indicates whether the valve is open or closed. Ball valves do not control water flow.

Globe valves tend to be restrictive, but can be used to control water flow.

Water Pressure Defects

In order to get the most meaningful results in relation to inspecting the water pressure, it is good practice to inspect the plumbing fixtures at the highest point in the house. And then move downwards to the lowest level of the building while running water at each fixture for a minute or two. Do not let water run at any fixture without close observation. Do not let water run unattended at any fixture.

The minimum static pressure at the dwelling entrance for either public or private water service (as determined by the local water authority) should be 40 psi (276 kPa). The maximum static pressure should be 80 psi (552 kPa). When the pressure from the public water main or private well exceeds 80 psi, a pressure-reducing valve or regulator should be installed at the point where the water service pipe enters the dwelling. The pressure regulator should be installed immediately downstream of the main shut-off valve. To allow a continuous flow of water to the dwelling, the water pressure-reducing valve is designed to remain in an open position if the component fails.

PEX Plastic Tubing

PEX is polyethylene cross-linked plastic tubing. The cross-linked structure prevents the pipe from rupturing over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. PEX is resistant to solvents and cannot be joined by solvent cementing. PEX is flexible and can be bent. PEX can be hot-bent with a hot-air gun. The minimum hot-bending radius is 2½ times the outside diameter. PEX can be cold-bent, too (at room temperature) to a minimum radius of 6 times the outside diameter.

Inspection of private water sources, such as a well, is beyond the scope of a home inspection.

A water heater tank should be installed inside a pan in locations in a dwelling where a leak from the tank could cause damage to the structure or property. The pan is intended to catch water leaks from the tank or associated connections, or condensate from the tank. The pan should be made of galvanized steel or other material approved for that use. Pre-fabricated aluminum and plastic pans are common and widely used. Aluminum and plastic pans may not be allowed by every authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) or code official because they are not made of galvanized steel, and some tank manufacturers require the use of a metal pan only.