11 NCAC 08 .1109             PLUMBING

(a)  The home inspector shall inspect:

(1)           Interior water supply and distribution system, including: piping materials, supports, and insulation; fixtures and faucets; functional flow; leaks; and cross connections;

(2)           Interior drain, waste, and vent system, including: traps; drain, waste, and vent piping; piping supports and pipe insulation; leaks; and functional drainage;

(3)           Hot water systems including: water heating equipment; normal operating controls; automatic safety controls; and chimneys, flues, and vents;

(4)           Fuel storage and distribution systems including: interior fuel storage equipment, supply piping, venting, and supports; leaks; and

(5)           Sump pumps.

(b)  The home inspector shall describe:

(1)           Water supply and distribution piping materials;

(2)           Drain, waste, and vent piping materials;

(3)           Water heating equipment, including fuel or power source, storage capacity or tankless point of use demand systems, and location; and

(4)           The location of any main water supply shutoff device.

(c)  The home inspector shall operate all plumbing fixtures, including their faucets and all exterior faucets attached to the house, except where the flow end of the faucet is connected to an appliance.

(d)  The home inspector is not required to:

(1)           State the requirement for or effectiveness of anti-siphon devices;

(2)           Determine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private or the presence or absence of backflow devices;

(3)           Operate automatic safety controls;

(4)           Operate any valve except water closet flush valves, fixture faucets, and hose faucets;

(5)           Inspect:

(A)          Water conditioning systems;

(B)          Fire and lawn sprinkler systems;

(C)          On-site water supply quantity and quality;

(D)          On-site waste disposal systems;

(E)           Foundation irrigation systems;

(F)           Bathroom spas, whirlpools, or air jet tubs except as to functional flow and functional drainage;

(G)          Swimming pools;

(H)          Solar water heating equipment; or

(I)            Fixture overflow devices or shower pan liners;

(6)           Inspect the system for proper sizing, design, or use of approved materials;

(7)           Report on the absence or presence of thermal expansion tanks; or

(8)           Report on the adequacy of the reported water heater capacity.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-151.49;

Codifier determined that agency findings did not meet criteria for temporary rule Eff. October 15, 1996;

Temporary Adoption Eff. October 24, 1996;

Eff. July 1, 1998;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2007; April 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. October 1, 2018.