What does this plumbing final checklist cover?

15 items across 3 sections, covering fixtures and trim, water heater and mechanical room, exterior and closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The plumbing foreman at trim-out, then the GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After fixtures are set and water is turned on to the building, before the AHJ final and owner turnover.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 14 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a plumbing final inspection?

Fixtures caulked and photographed before the water is actually run to check for leaks under the trap. Water heater relief valve and pan installed but discharge routing never traced to termination. Hose bibbs and exterior fixtures left untested until the first freeze reveals a cracked line.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Plumbing

Plumbing final inspection checklist

Plumbing final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against IPC / UPC family. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Fixtures and trim

Fixtures set level, sealed and operating
Fixture level side to side, caulk bead continuous, no rocking when weight is applied.
Supply lines and shutoffs run with no leaks
Shutoff valves operate fully, no moisture at the connection after running water for several minutes.
Traps assembled correctly and holding water
Trap arm within the required distance to the vent, water standing in the trap after use.
Hot water at the fixture within the set range
Thermometer reading at lavs and showers after a short run, within the range the mixing valve or heater is set to deliver.
Fixtures drain freely without gurgling
Each fixture filled and released; slow drainage or gurgling points to a partial blockage or a venting problem to chase down.
No photo

Water heater and mechanical room

Water heater set, strapped and connected
Seismic strapping where required, dielectric unions at dissimilar metals, no leaks at fittings.
Temperature and pressure relief valve piped to a safe termination
Discharge line sized correctly, terminates within the required height above a drain or floor, not capped.
Expansion tank and backflow devices installed and supported
Tank supported independent of the pipe, backflow preventer oriented and accessible for testing.
Fuel-fired water heater vent connector secured
Where the heater is fuel-fired, the vent connector rises toward the vent, joints fastened, clearance to combustibles as the heater's rating label shows.
No photo

Exterior and closeout

Hose bibbs and exterior fixtures operate without leaks
Each bibb run under pressure, checked at the wall penetration and the handle for drips.
Cleanouts accessible and capped at finish grade or floor
Cover flush with finished surface, cap seated and not painted or grouted shut.
Fixture count and water pressure verified at the last outlet
Static and running pressure checked at the fixture furthest from the meter or pump.
Floor drains holding a trap seal, primers working
Where floor drains are installed, water stands in each trap and any trap primer delivers water when triggered or on its timer.
No photo
Potable water disinfection results on file where required
Disinfection and bacteriological test results for the domestic water system received where the spec or AHJ calls for them.
No photo
Main and isolation shutoffs tagged for the owner
Main water shutoff and each isolation valve tagged, matching the valve chart where the project has one, with the chart or shutoff list in the turnover package.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Fixtures caulked and photographed before the water is actually run to check for leaks under the trap.
Water heater relief valve and pan installed but discharge routing never traced to termination.
Hose bibbs and exterior fixtures left untested until the first freeze reveals a cracked line.

Verified against

IPC / UPC plumbing codes

Common questions

6 answers

What does this plumbing final checklist cover?: 15 items across 3 sections, covering fixtures and trim, water heater and mechanical room, exterior and closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The plumbing foreman at trim-out, then the GC or owner's representative at final acceptance.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After fixtures are set and water is turned on to the building, before the AHJ final and owner turnover.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 11 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 14 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a plumbing final inspection?: Fixtures caulked and photographed before the water is actually run to check for leaks under the trap. Water heater relief valve and pan installed but discharge routing never traced to termination. Hose bibbs and exterior fixtures left untested until the first freeze reveals a cracked line.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Plumbing Rough-inPlumbing rough-in inspection checklistUnderground and in-wall piping, slopes and supports before pressure testing15 items18 photos Plumbing Pre-coverPlumbing pre-cover inspection checklistThe hold-point walk before slabs are poured and walls are closed14 items15 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 14 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.