Plumbing Underground Inspection Guide
Your inspector needs to see the underground plumbing layout, fittings, slope, support conditions and required test before the work is covered by backfill or concrete.
Show Us the Underground Plumbing Before It Gets Covered.
Start with wide views so the inspector understands the complete underground layout, then get closer to fittings, slope, cleanouts, penetrations, bedding and test conditions.
Keep the piping, fittings, connections, support conditions and required test visible until the inspection evidence is complete.
Use a measuring tape for depth, spacing, clearances and other dimensions. Use a level when pipe slope or pitch needs to be verified. Make sure the measuring tool and piping are both clearly visible.
Show us the entire underground layout.
Start with a slow video showing all underground plumbing included in the inspection.
Make sure we can see:
- The complete pipe layout
- Branches and changes in direction
- Fixture stub-ups
- Cleanouts
- Penetrations through foundations or other structural elements
- Enough context to identify where the piping is located
Show us the pipe and fittings.
Take clear photos of representative piping, fittings and connections before they are concealed.
Make sure we can see:
- Pipe material
- Pipe size or markings, where visible
- Fittings
- Branch connections
- Changes in direction
- Material transitions, if any
Show us the slope of the drainage piping.
Show representative horizontal drainage runs clearly enough for the inspector to review the direction and pitch.
If slope or pitch needs to be verified, place a level on the pipe and take a clear photo or video showing the level and pipe together.
Make sure we can identify:
- Which pipe run is being checked
- The direction of drainage
- The level positioned on the pipe
- Representative conditions from different runs where needed
Show us the depth and clearances where needed.
If the inspector needs to verify burial depth, spacing, separation or another dimension, show the measurement before the trench is covered.
Place a measuring tape next to the condition being measured and make sure the measurement is easy to read.
This may include:
- Pipe depth
- Spacing between piping
- Clearance from structural elements
- Stub-up locations
- Other project-specific dimensions
Show us the bedding and support conditions.
Show how the underground piping is supported before backfill or concrete is placed.
Make sure we can see:
- The pipe resting condition
- Bedding or prepared base, where applicable
- Support along the piping run
- Conditions around fittings and changes in direction
- Anything different from the typical trench condition
Show us cleanouts, stub-ups and penetrations.
Show the underground plumbing components that will remain accessible or pass through the foundation or slab.
Make sure we can see:
- Cleanouts
- Fixture stub-ups
- Vent stub-ups
- Sleeves, where applicable
- Foundation or slab penetrations
- Special transitions at penetrations
Show enough surrounding area so the inspector can identify where each component is located.
Show us the required underground plumbing test.
If a test is required, show the complete test setup before the underground system is covered.
Make sure we can see:
- The test setup
- The portion of the system being tested
- Test equipment
- Gauge or water-test condition, where applicable
- A readable test indication
- Connections associated with the test setup
Keep the required test in place for the inspection when applicable.
Show us anything different or unusual.
If part of the underground plumbing is different from the typical installation, make sure your inspector can clearly see it before the work is covered.
This may include:
- Different piping materials
- Material transitions
- Unusual fittings or routing
- Special cleanout conditions
- Changes in elevation
- Field modifications
- Anything else your inspector should see
Show the full area first, then take close-up photos of the condition.
Before You Submit
Take 30 seconds and make sure your inspector can clearly see the underground plumbing before it is covered.
- Can we see the complete underground plumbing layout?
- Can we identify the pipe, fittings and branches?
- If slope or pitch needs to be verified, did you include a clear level photo or video?
- Where depth, spacing or clearance needs to be verified, did you include measuring-tape photos?
- Did you show the bedding and support conditions?
- Did you show cleanouts, stub-ups and penetrations?
- If a plumbing test is required, is the test setup visible and readable?
- Did you show anything different or unusual?
- Is everything still exposed before backfill, concrete or other covering is placed?
That's It.
Submit your photos, videos, measurements, level evidence and test evidence through Permit Rockstar. Your inspector will compare the underground plumbing installation with the approved plans and applicable project requirements.
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