A plumbing inspector is a licensed plumber who conducts inspections of plumbing systems to ensure that they are safe, legal, and installed by licensed professionals. The government is the most common employer of plumbing inspectors, with some hiring full-time inspectors and others contracting jobs out to licensed plumbing inspectors as needed. To work as a plumbing inspector, a person must be fully qualified and licensed as a plumber, as well as possessing an additional certification that allows them to work as an inspector.
The plumbing inspector inspects plumbing systems and appliances as they are installed on new construction projects to ensure that they are legal. Vents, traps, faucets, fixtures, and lines are all examined by the plumbing inspector. He or she can also demand proof that the plumbers performing the work are licensed and have current licenses. Some plumbing inspectors specialize in either residential or commercial plumbing, while others are capable of inspecting both. If a plumbing installation fails inspection, the builder will receive a citation, and the plumbing inspector’s findings must be corrected.
The plumbing inspector may be dispatched again after extensive renovations involving plumbing systems to confirm the plumbing’s safety and legality. This is especially important when retrofitting vintage plumbing systems, because mistakes can be expensive or dangerous when replacing entire plumbing systems. When a problem with a plumbing system arises, such as when the water company suspects a restaurant is discharging grease directly into the sewer, plumbing inspectors can be called in.
Working as a plumbing plans examiner is an option for plumbers who don’t want to work in the field. Plans examiners examine proposed plumbing layouts and plans to see if they are in compliance with the plumbing code. Getting plans approved by an examiner is often a crucial step in the application process for a building permit. When plumbing systems are inspected on the job, the plumbing inspector often consults the plumbing plans to see if the physical plumbing matches the proposed plan, and if there is a difference, he or she can ask for an explanation.
Inspectors can work for the government at various levels. In every case, their main goal is to protect public health and safety by ensuring that plumbing systems are suitable for the tasks at hand. Inspectors are also concerned about code violations that could indicate illegal activity, such as plumbing in a garage that could indicate that it is being used as a granny unit.