Shield Plumbing inspects home plumbing for buyers, sellers and owners in Kannapolis, Concord, Salisbury and China Grove. We check pipes, fixtures, the water heater and the sewer line, then explain what we found.
A plumbing inspection is a close look at your home's water lines, drains, fixtures, water heater and, if needed, the sewer line by camera. It tells you what is working, what is wearing out and what needs attention soon. You get a clear rundown of what we found, with no pressure to fix anything.
These are the most common reasons homeowners book a plumbing inspection.
Buying, selling or just curious about the pipes in your home? Call us to set up a plumbing inspection. Call (980) 980-9219
A general home inspection looks at the whole house, so plumbing gets a quick pass. A plumbing inspection goes deeper. We look at pipe types, test water pressure, check the water heater and look for slow leaks. For older homes, a camera inside the sewer line shows problems no one can see from the yard.
| Job | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Whole-home plumbing check | 1 to 2 hoursFixtures, water heater, pressure and visible pipes. |
| Sewer camera inspection | 1 to 2 hoursNeeds an accessible cleanout or a toilet removed. |
| Full check plus sewer camera | 2 to 3 hoursCommon for older homes before purchase. |
| Leak check | 1 to 2 hoursTracing a hidden leak from meter tests and clues. |
Inspection cost depends on the size of the home and how much you want checked. A basic whole-home check is the simplest. Adding a sewer camera inspection takes more time and equipment. You get an estimate before any work starts, so you know what is included.
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Home size | More bathrooms and fixtures take more time to test. |
| Sewer camera | Adding a camera check of the main line adds time and equipment. |
| Cleanout access | No cleanout may mean pulling a toilet to reach the line. |
| Crawl space access | Tight or wet crawl spaces take longer to inspect safely. |
| Leak tracing | Hunting a hidden leak takes longer than a routine check. |
We ask about the home's age, known issues and if you are buying.
We check visible pipes, test pressure, run fixtures and look at the water heater.
When needed, a camera goes through the main line to show cracks or roots.
We walk you through what is urgent, what can wait and what is fine.
Call and tell us what is going on. You get an estimate before any work starts.
Mill village homes in Kannapolis and historic houses in Salisbury often mix cast iron drains, galvanized water lines and newer plastic repairs. A buyer may not see any of it during a walk-through. An inspection shows what you have and how much life it has left.
Red Piedmont clay shifts as it wets and dries, which can stress older buried sewer lines over many years. Homes on wells and septic in Landis and Rockwell have their own checks, from the pressure tank to the drain line out to the tank. We tell you which parts need a specialist.
It is a good idea, especially for older homes near downtown Kannapolis. Many have cast iron drains or galvanized pipe that a walk-through will not reveal. A plumbing inspection with a sewer camera check shows the condition of the pipes, so you can plan repairs or negotiate before closing.
Most cover water pressure, visible water and drain lines, every fixture, the water heater and signs of leaks. Many also include a camera inspection of the main sewer line. You get an explanation of what is working, what is wearing out and what needs attention soon.
Yes, in most cases. The sewer line runs under the yard, and problems like roots, cracks and sags are invisible from above. Repairing a sewer line is a large expense. A camera check before buying shows whether that expense may be coming.
Yes. A general home inspector checks the whole house and gives plumbing a quick look. A plumbing inspection is done by a licensed plumber and goes deeper. It can include pressure tests, a close look at the water heater, leak checks and a camera inspection of the sewer line.
A whole-home check usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Adding a sewer camera inspection brings it to 2 to 3 hours in most homes. Larger homes and tight crawl spaces take longer. We give you a time estimate when you book so you can plan around it.
It helps, especially if you are buying. You can see what we find as we go and ask questions on the spot. If you cannot be there, a seller or agent can let us in, and we explain the findings to you afterward.
Galvanized pipe is steel pipe coated in zinc, common in homes built before the 1960s. Over decades it rusts from the inside, which narrows the pipe and lowers water pressure. It can also leak at the threads. An inspection shows whether your home still has it and where.
Only if you want us to. An inspection is about giving you the facts. We explain each finding and what it would take to fix. If you want repairs, you get an estimate before any work starts. There is no pressure to book anything.
Call to describe the problem. You get a clear plan and an estimate before any work starts.
