The Leak You Can’t See Is the One That Costs the Most
Most water damage inside a condominium starts small — a weeping supply line, a slow drip under a sink, a failing toilet seal — and stays hidden until it shows up in a neighbor’s ceiling. By then, it’s an insurance claim involving two units and the association.
Our in-unit inspection is a non-invasive, visual check of every readily accessible plumbing component in the unit, finished with a thermal imaging scan that reveals hidden moisture the eye can’t see.
What We Test & Inspect
- Faucets & Shower Valve: We check every faucet and the shower/tub valve, checking flow, drips, and proper shutoff.
- Toilets: Flush test, tank component check, and inspection of the base for signs of a failing seal.
- Angle Stops & Washer Valves: We check each shutoff valve under sinks, behind toilets, and at the washing machine, because these are the valves you’ll need in an emergency.
- Supply Lines: Visual inspection of the flexible lines to the toilet, lavatory, washing machine, and water heater — the most common sources of catastrophic unit flooding.
- Under-Sink & Drain Connections: Visual check of P-traps and drains at every readily accessible fixture.
The Thermal Imaging Difference
Every inspection ends with an infrared camera scan of ceilings, walls, and floors. Thermal imaging detects the temperature signature of hidden moisture — water damage that isn’t visible on the surface, including intrusion from neighboring units, before staining ever appears. The toilet base and tub surround, the two most common sources of slow concealed leaks, get special attention.
How It Works
- WE COORDINATE WITH YOUR AOAO — Inspections run unit by unit, floor by floor.
- HOMEOWNERS PREPARE — Just clear the space under sinks and around the washing machine and water heater. Nothing is opened up or disassembled.
- WE INSPECT — About 15 minutes per unit, roughly 20 units per day.
- YOU GET THE REPORT — Photos, thermal images, and prioritized recommendations for every unit. Anything suggesting active water intrusion or damage to common elements is reported to the AOAO.
Scheduling & Rescheduling
Units that need to be rescheduled can be rebooked at no charge on any day we’re already on-site. Rescheduling to a date outside the scheduled inspection window is subject to an additional trip fee.
Important Notes
Access Requirement
All stored items must be removed from beneath sinks and from around the water heater and laundry area before the appointment. Areas that haven’t been cleared cannot be inspected and will be noted as inaccessible in the report.
Valve Operation
Shutoff valves that haven’t been operated for an extended period may leak or fail to reopen when exercised — a pre-existing condition of the valve, not a result of the inspection. 535 Plumbing is not responsible for valves that fail during testing; if this occurs, we will schedule replacement of the valve at the owner’s expense. Owners who prefer not to have valves operated may request a visual-only inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home?
Access arrangements are coordinated through your AOAO or site manager. Many associations use a key release or resident-present policy — we work with whatever your building requires.
Will you open walls or ceilings?
No. The inspection is completely non-invasive. The thermal camera sees what we can’t — without cutting a single hole.
What happens if you find a problem?
It goes in your written report with a photo and a prioritized recommendation. If it’s urgent, we’ll tell you on the spot — and you’ll get 10% off if you have us do the repair.
