Frequently Asked Questions

Buildings over fifteen years old with original plumbing installations are candidates for preventive inspection regardless of whether visible problems have appeared. Additional indicators that suggest inspection is appropriate include visible rust staining around fixtures or at pipe access points, reduced water pressure in upper-floor units, unusual sounds in the pipes such as hammering or persistent dripping, or a history of flexible hose failures anywhere in the building. Inspection is also relevant when a building committee is planning maintenance budgets and needs factual data about infrastructure condition to make informed decisions.

Endoscopic inspection is carried out through existing access points in the building's water network — cleanouts, valve connections, and service openings that are already part of the installation. In the majority of buildings, no wall cutting or pipe cutting is required. Pressure testing uses existing valve connections to isolate segments. The entire process is designed to be minimally invasive. In some older buildings where access points are limited, minor access work may be needed, but this would be discussed and agreed before the inspection begins.

The report documents the condition of each inspected section of the network, identifies areas of concern with descriptions of what was found, provides an estimated remaining useful life for each segment based on the observed condition of the materials, and includes a cost comparison between proactive repair now and the projected costs of reactive emergency repair following a failure. The report also notes which sections could not be accessed and why. It is written in clear, accessible language suitable for presentation to a building committee or condo association, and does not require technical expertise to understand.

The duration depends on the size, age, and complexity of the building's water network. A typical residential building with multiple floors and a standard network layout takes between four and eight hours on-site. Larger or more complex buildings may require more time. We coordinate with building administration before the inspection to schedule access in a way that minimizes impact on residents. The written report is prepared after the on-site work and delivered within a few business days.

The service is most commonly requested by the building committee or property administration, since the building's shared water network is common infrastructure. Individual unit owners can also request inspection of the sections serving their specific unit. The diagnostic report is addressed to whoever commissions the service and can be presented to the full committee as part of maintenance planning discussions. When a committee commissions the inspection, the report covers the entire shared network.

The report is a diagnostic document — it describes the condition of the network and provides information for decision-making. What happens next is the committee's decision. The report may indicate that the network is in acceptable condition and no immediate action is needed, that specific sections should be monitored or repaired within a defined timeframe, or that certain connections require prompt attention. If the committee has questions about the report's findings or wants to discuss what the options are, we are available to clarify. We do not carry out the repair work ourselves — our role is diagnostic.

The report includes a cost comparison section that outlines the estimated cost of addressing the identified issues through planned, scheduled repair versus the projected cost if those issues result in a failure — which typically involves emergency plumbing work, water damage repair in the affected unit and potentially adjacent units, common area restoration, and the administrative costs associated with managing an emergency. Planned repair is generally significantly less expensive because it can be scheduled, scoped, and tendered properly rather than being handled under emergency conditions.

The diagnostic service can cover both hot and cold water distribution networks within the building. Hot water pipes are subject to additional thermal stress that can accelerate corrosion and joint fatigue, so they are an important part of a comprehensive assessment. The scope of the inspection — which networks and sections are included — is defined during the initial consultation before the inspection is scheduled.

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