The plumbing section of the 4-point inspection covers more ground than most homeowners expect. It is not just about the pipes in your walls — it evaluates the water heater, the supply and drain connections at every fixture and appliance in the home, and the type and age of the piping throughout the entire system. This section is where polybutylene piping gets flagged, where missing TPR discharge pipes show up, and where slow leaks that have gone unnoticed under a bathroom sink for months finally make it into writing.
A — Temperature Pressure Relief Valve
The very first question in the plumbing section asks whether a temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve is present on the water heater. A TPR valve is a safety device designed to release water if the temperature or pressure inside the tank exceeds safe levels. Without one, a water heater under extreme conditions can build pressure to the point of catastrophic failure — and while that scenario is rare, it is serious enough that every water heater sold in the United States is required to have one installed.
But the TPR valve itself is only half of what the inspector is looking at. The valve must also have a discharge pipe — sometimes called a drain line — attached to it, routed downward, and terminating at an appropriate location such as the exterior of the home or a floor drain. A TPR valve without a discharge pipe, or with a pipe that terminates into a wall, into the attic, or is routed upward, is one of the most common deficiencies found on a 4-point inspection. It is also one of the cheapest and easiest to fix — a licensed plumber can typically correct it in a single visit for a relatively small cost.
B — Active Leaks and Prior Leaks
These two questions are asking different things, and both matter. An active leak is exactly what it sounds like — water actively dripping, pooling, or seeping from a pipe, fitting, valve, or fixture at the time of the inspection. An active leak of any kind will result in an Unsatisfactory finding that must be repaired before the report will be accepted.
A prior leak is evidence that water damage occurred at some point in the past — staining on drywall or cabinetry, warped or discolored flooring, watermarks on a ceiling beneath a bathroom. The presence of a prior leak does not automatically mean the report will be marked Unsatisfactory, but the inspector must document it and note whether the source has been identified and corrected. An old water stain under a sink that has clearly been repaired and shows no signs of active moisture is a different situation than a stain that appears recent or is accompanied by soft, deteriorating material.
C — Water Heater Location
The inspector records where the water heater is located — garage, utility closet, attic, exterior, or elsewhere. This may seem like a minor detail, but it matters to the underwriter. A water heater in the attic, for example, presents a higher risk of water damage to the living space below if it leaks or the drain pan overflows. A water heater in the garage must meet specific code requirements for elevation and ignition source clearance if it is a gas unit. The location also determines how accessible the unit is for the inspector to evaluate and photograph.
D — General Condition of Plumbing Fixtures and Connections
This is the most detailed grid on the entire 4-point form. The inspector evaluates each plumbing fixture and appliance connection individually and marks it as Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, or N/A. The list includes the dishwasher, refrigerator (if it has a water line), washing machine, water heater, showers and tubs, toilets, sinks, sump pump, the main shut-off valve, and all other visible plumbing.
For each item, the inspector is looking at the supply lines, drain connections, shut-off valves, and any visible piping for signs of leaks, corrosion, improper materials, or deterioration. Under a kitchen sink, for example, the inspector will photograph the supply lines, the drain assembly, the shut-off valves, and any garbage disposal or dishwasher drain connections. Under a bathroom sink, they will check the same, along with the toilet supply line and shut-off valve nearby. At the washing machine, they are looking at the supply hoses, the drain connection, and whether there are shut-off valves present.
The N/A column is used when a fixture is not present — not every home has a sump pump, and not every refrigerator has a water line. If your home does not have a particular item, it is marked N/A and is not held against the report.
E — Unsatisfactory Comments
If any fixture or connection is marked Unsatisfactory, the inspector must provide an explanation in this comments section. The form specifically calls out the types of issues to document: leaks, wet or soft spots, mold, corrosion, and deteriorated grout or caulk. This is where the details go — which sink has the leak, what type of corrosion was found on which supply line, where the soft spot is located. These comments, along with the corresponding photographs, are what the underwriter reviews to determine whether the issue is something that must be corrected before coverage is issued or whether it can be accepted with conditions.
F — Age of Piping System
The left side of the supplemental section documents the age and history of the home’s plumbing. The inspector indicates whether the piping is original to the home, has been completely re-piped, or has been partially re-piped. If the home has been re-piped — fully or partially — the year and extent of the renovation must be provided in the comments.
This distinction matters because the age of the piping directly affects how the underwriter evaluates risk. A home built in 1985 with original plumbing is approaching 40 years of service on those pipes. If that same home was completely re-piped in 2015, the plumbing is effectively 10 years old regardless of when the house was built. A partial re-pipe — where some of the original piping was replaced but not all of it — requires the inspector to note what was updated and what remains original. This commonly occurs when a homeowner replaces the supply lines but leaves the original drain piping in place, or when a specific section of problem piping was replaced following a leak.
G — Type of Pipes
The right side of the supplemental section is a checklist of pipe materials, and the form instructs the inspector to check all that apply — because most homes, especially those that have been updated over the years, have more than one type.
- Copper is the material insurance companies are happiest to see. It is durable, corrosion-resistant, and has a proven track record spanning decades.
- PVC/CPVC is a rigid plastic piping commonly used for both supply and drain lines in Florida homes built from the 1980s onward. It is widely accepted by carriers.
- PEX is a flexible plastic piping that has become the standard for new construction and re-pipes in recent years — it is durable, resistant to corrosion, and easy to install. All three of these materials are generally accepted without issue.
- Galvanized steel piping is an older material that was standard in homes built before the 1960s. It corrodes from the inside out over time, gradually restricting water flow and eventually developing pinhole leaks. Its presence does not automatically fail the inspection, but it will be noted, and carriers may require further evaluation or request a re-pipe depending on its age and condition.
- Polybutylene is the one that changes the conversation. Polybutylene piping — a gray, blue, or black flexible plastic pipe — was widely installed in Florida homes from the late 1970s through the mid-1990s as a cheaper alternative to copper. It was the subject of a massive class-action lawsuit after widespread failures caused by the piping’s reaction to chlorine and other oxidants in treated water, which caused it to become brittle and crack from the inside. Most insurance carriers in Florida will not insure a home with polybutylene supply lines. If this box is checked, the homeowner is typically looking at a full re-pipe before coverage can be obtained — and that is not a small project.
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