1. The Home Inspection Book: A Guide for Professionals By Marcia Darvin Spada Copyright, Thomson/South-Western, 2003, Revised, 2006

2. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 2 Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Systems

3. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 3 Chapter 8 Key Terms  Aquifer  Backflow preventer  Boiler  BTU  Cesspool  Cleanout  Compressor  Condenser  Convector  Evaporator  Float valve  Forced warm air system  Freon  Gate valve  Globe valve

4. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 4 Chapter 8 Key Terms continued  Heat exchanger  Hydronic system  Main soil stack  Main vent stack  Nonpotable water  Plenum  Plumbing fixture  Potable water  Pressure regulator valve (PRV)  Refrigerant  Septic system  Soil or waste stack  Temperature pressure relief valve

5. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 5 Chapter 8 Key Terms continued  Thermocouple  Thermostat  Trap  Valve  Vent system  Water hammer arrestor

6. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 6 Inspecting the Public Water Supply Entrance  Inspection points:  Location of main service line  Condition of pipe see if leaky or rusted  Check if pipe is lead  Location of water meter  Check if pressure reducing value near water meter  Locate main shut-off valve and check condition

7. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 7 A home’s layout pattern with well water and septic system

8. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 8 Well Pumps and Storage Tanks  Pumps  Piston  Jet (ejector)  Submersible  Storage Tanks  Pressure tank  Elastic pressure Cells  Gravity tank  Reservoirs  Inspection point:  Run water-once pressure tank is empty enough, pump should kick in

9. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 9 Components of a jet pump

10. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 10 A residential piping system

11. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 11 Typical Cast Iron Soil Pipe Fittings

12. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 12 A House Septic System

13. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 13 Types of Pipe Valves Type of pipe valves Gate valve Temperature pressure relief valve Pressure regulator valve Float valve Water hammer arrestor

14. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 14 Types of Traps

15. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 15 Inspecting the Pipes  Inspection points:  Leakage  Rust and corrosion  Pipe sizing for adequate pressure  Noisy pipes  Insulation

16. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 16 Types of Heating Systems Hot water System Forced water air system Electrical resistance system Steam System

17. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 17 Heating Fuel and Power Oil- Fired Heat Gas- Fired Heat Electric Heat

18. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 18 Single-Pipe Hydronic System

19. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 19 Single-pipe Steam Heating System

20. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 20 Warm Air Furnaces

21. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 21 Oil-Fired Warm Air Furnace

22. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 22 Inspecting the Furnace  Inspection Points:  Each room has convector, radiator, etc.  Age of heating system  Condition of furnace  Safety switch  Ventilation

23. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 23 Inspecting the Furnace-Oil and Gas Fired  Oil furnace inspection  Location of oil storage tank  Aboveground or underground  Underground leakage into soil  Aboveground leaks, rust, corrosion  Gas furnace inspection  Pilot light  Gas burners inside heat exchanger  Black iron pipe carrying gas from source  Shut off valve for pipe  Drip leg

24. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 24 Inspecting the Furnace-Hot Water (hydronic) And Hot Air Systems  Inspection points-hot water:  Turn on thermostat to check circulator pumps  Heating water circulating through system  Temperature pressure gauge  Turn off thermostat to make sure system shuts down  Inspection points-hot air:  Turn on thermostat and let system cycle  Listen for blowers  Turn off thermostat and check if blowers shut down  Remove and check air filter

25. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 25 Air Conditioner Components  Refrigerant (freon)  Evaporator  Compressor  Condenser Air conditioners may be water-cooled or air- cooled

26. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 26 A Ground Source Heat Pump

27. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 27 Types of Water Heaters Electric water heater Summer- winter hookup Gas water heater

28. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 28 Inspecting the Water Tank  Inspection points:  Pressure temperature relief valve with pipe extension  Ascertain recovery rate of water in tank  Set no higher than 120 degrees  Ventilation  Flue pipe to chimney for gas, propane and oil heaters  Gas leaks  Height of burner flame

29. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 29 Kitchen Cabinets

30. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 30 Kitchen Sink Components

31. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 31 Inspecting the Sinks  Inspection Points-sink:  Water flow  Drainage  Leakage  P or S traps  Connection to dishwasher  Fastened to counter or wall  Inspection Points-faucet:  Shutoff without leakage  Stains  Hot and cold flow through proper side  Securely fastened to countertop  Missing handles  Rust, corrosion, cracks

32. Chapter 8 Inspecting the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems 32 A Typical Bathroom Sink