How long water should run during an inspection

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Thank you everyone.

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The longer an inspector runs it the better, running it a short time will often miss leaks, if your water supply is not sufficient to run an hour., or if your sewage can’t handle that the potential buyer should be made aware

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23

This is all very subjective. One hour may expose a clog or leak in one home and not another. Five minutes may do the same. But do not fool yourself to think there is a formula, however we can all agree the longer you run it the more likely you are to expose an issue.

It does not hurt to revisit the SoP.

3.6. Plumbing

I. The inspector shall inspect:

  1. the main water supply shut-off valve;
  2. the main fuel supply shut-off valve;
  3. the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing;
  4. interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water;
  5. all toilets for proper operation by flushing;
  6. all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage;
  7. the drain, waste and vent system; and
  8. drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
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24

When customers have me do a flow test on a well system, I run it for two hours, but never at a tub. That is generally, not recommended for the leech field, particularly with a high producing well. Otherwise, the max I run water at fixtures is about five minutes and often not that long.

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25

We run the water and then due to galvanized pipes the water starts coming out rust colored…The house does not have a softener.

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26

UPDATE: I had a well servicing company come to look at my system today. My well looked great (WHEW), but my Water pressure tank was old and terribly corroded. I now have a new tank and clear water. Thank you again for all your help. I was truly at a loss!

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