Written by Amanda Casteel · COO Reviewed by Johnny Casteel · CEO · Master Plumber Updated July 2026 VA Plumbing Lic. 2710075081 · Contractor Lic. 2705180998
Quick answers
- Big Four: sewer camera, water quality testing, water heater age & code, full plumbing inspection to code.
- Also covered: pressure/flow, pipe materials, hidden leaks, shut-offs, drains, toilets, sump, gas, hose bibs, permit history.
- Why it matters: $550 inspection vs up to $50,000 for a missed sewer line, slab leak, or full repipe.
- Cul-de-sac / corner / flag lots: laterals often run under streets or neighbors — camera first.
When to use this checklist
Use this during your option period in Northern Virginia, DC, or Maryland — before you waive inspections or renegotiate. Share it with your agent, or schedule the inspection for you.
The Big Four — have these checked before you buy
1) Sewer camera inspection — finds root intrusion, bellies, cracks, or collapsed pipe; sewer line replacement can run $10,000–$25,000+. 2) Water quality testing — hardness, contaminants, and corrosion signs that can point to failing pipes. 3) Water heater age & code compliance — age, condition, T&P valve, venting, seismic strapping, expansion tank; most heaters fail at 8–12 years, often right after closing. 4) Full plumbing inspection to code — licensed plumber checks supply, drains, vents, gas lines, and fixtures with real repair costs documented.
Also on our inspection list
Water pressure & flow at every fixture; pipe material ID (galvanized, polybutylene, lead); hidden leak check via water meter test; main shut-off & fixture shut-offs; drain speed at every sink, tub & shower; toilet condition, seals & stability; sump pump & drainage system; washing machine hoses & supply lines; gas line condition & connections; outdoor hose bibs & backflow prevention; signs of past leaks or water damage; permit history on prior plumbing work.
Why it matters
One inspection: $550. One missed sewer line, slab leak, or full repipe: up to $50,000. Depending on the plumbing in the home, this checklist could be the best money you spend on your purchase.
Buying on a cul-de-sac, corner, or flag lot?
Your sewer line may run under the street or a neighbor's property to reach the main — we have inspected cul-de-sac homes whose lines ran 25 feet under the road. You own every foot of it, and replacing pipe under a street costs far more. A sewer camera tells you exactly where your line goes before you buy. Read Who Owns What for the full ownership map.
Book or download
Request the $550 Home Buyer Plumbing Inspection online or call (703) 214-2551. Email [email protected]. Download the printable checklist: /assets/buyer_plumbing_checklist_cherry_blossom.pdf
Failure modes to avoid
Relying only on a general home inspection
General inspectors do not replace sewer cameras or a licensed plumbing-to-code review — that is why deals reopen after closing.
Skipping the camera to “save” a few hundred dollars
A failed lateral under the street can erase your down payment. Map the line while you can still negotiate.
Proof & methodology
- · Written by Amanda Casteel (COO), reviewed by Johnny Casteel (CEO · Master Plumber) — Cherry Blossom Plumbing (VA Plumbing Lic. 2710075081).
- · Grounded in Northern Virginia service patterns: Arlington rowhouses, hard-water pockets, polybutylene-era suburbs, and older laterals.
Last updated July 2026
FAQs
What does the $550 inspection include?
One visit covering the Big Four and every item on this list, plus a written report you can use in negotiations. See the Home Buyer Plumbing Inspection package page for booking details.
Can my realtor schedule this?
Yes — agents use our Realtor’s Plumbing Checklist and we prioritize option-period scheduling. Email [email protected] or call (703) 214-2551.
Do you serve my neighborhood?
We serve Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County, and mapped MD/DC communities. Confirm your address when you book.
Next step
Ready for help in Arlington or Northern Virginia? We diagnose first, explain options in flat-rate terms, and never upsell what you do not need.