A plumbing inspection in Apex is a plumber's check of the supply lines, drains, water heater, shutoffs, fixtures and, if you add it, the sewer line by camera. Apex housing is very new, so most inspections here look for worn parts, install shortcuts and permit questions rather than old pipe. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Apex.
What's typical about Apex homes
Apex is one of the newest towns in the Triangle. Census survey data puts the median home at 2008, with under 4% built before 1980. The older homes are mostly in and around the Apex Historic District downtown. Everywhere else, a plumber is usually looking at PEX supply lines, plastic drains, tank or tankless water heaters and irrigation systems.
The Town owns and maintains the public side of the service line and the property owner owns the private side. Apex says it found no lead or galvanized service lines needing replacement, and homes built before 1988 can request a free service line inspection from the Town. Water comes from Jordan Lake through the Cary/Apex treatment plant and is moderately soft, about 1.9 grains per gallon, with chloramine most of the year and a spring switch to chlorine.
Two Apex rules come up often during home purchases. The Town requires a permit even for a like-for-like water heater replacement, done only by a contractor holding a state plumbing license, so a recent swap with no permit on file is worth asking about. And lawn irrigation must have a reduced-pressure backflow assembly, at least 12 inches above grade between the meter and the first sprinkler head, tested every year; irrigation off a hose bibb isn't allowed.
General home inspection vs plumbing inspection
| What's checked | General home inspection | Plumber's inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures | Run briefly | Checked for leaks, worn cartridges and loose connections |
| Water heater | Age and visible condition | Venting, relief valve, expansion tank, permit question |
| Irrigation backflow | May be noted | Assembly type and location against Town rules |
| Drain to the street | Not seen | Camera run if you add it |
Signs it's worth booking
- The water heater was replaced but no permit shows up
- An irrigation system is fed from a hose bibb or has no visible RP assembly
- Water stains under a bathroom or near the laundry
- Slow drains in a house that's only a few years old
Seasonal notes
Apex's spring chlorine switchover can change the taste and smell of the water for a few weeks, which sometimes gets mistaken for a plumbing problem. In winter, check that outdoor irrigation piping and the backflow assembly were drained or protected. Permits for any follow-up work go through Apex Building Inspections and Permitting.
Plumbing Inspection questions in Apex
Who handles plumbing permits here, and can I ask about past work?
Does the inspection cover the irrigation backflow device?
How can I find out what the water service line is made of?
Is an inspection worth it on a house that's only a few years old?
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