# COMAR Title 09 — Maryland Department of Labor

## Subtitle 36 — Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors — Home Inspectors

### Chapter 07 — Minimum Standards of Practice

#### Regulation .07 Plumbing System.

*COMAR 09.36.07.07*

A. A home inspector shall visually inspect the accessible plumbing system, including:

  (1) Interior water supply and distribution systems, including all fixtures and faucets;

  (2) Drain, waste, and vent systems, including all fixtures;

  (3) Water heating equipment;

  (4) Vent systems, flues, and chimneys;

  (5) Fuel storage and fuel distribution systems for the presence of CSST;

  (6) Drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping;

  (7) The functional flow of all fixtures and faucets; and

  (8) The functional drainage of all fixtures.

B. A home inspector shall describe the type and material of the plumbing system, including:

  (1) Water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials, including waste cleanout access location:

  (2) Water heating equipment, including the energy source;

  (3) The location of the main water and hose bib shut-off valves;

  (4) The location of the main fuel shut-off valve; and

  (5) The presence of CSST with the recommendation that the bonding of the CSST be reviewed by a licensed master electrician.

C. A home inspector is not required to:

  (1) Inspect any of the following:

    (a) Clothes washing machine connections;

    (b) Interiors of flues or chimneys that are not readily accessible;

    (c) Wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment;

    (d) Water conditioning systems;

    (e) Solar, geothermal, or other renewable energy water heating systems;

    (f) Fire and lawn sprinkler systems; or

    (g) Private waste disposal systems;

  (2) Determine:

    (a) Whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private;

    (b) The quantity or quality of the water supply; or

    (c) The function of expansion tanks, anti-siphon devices, and water circulating systems;

  (3) Operate or activate safety valves or shut-off valves; or

  (4) Test shower pans or other fixtures for leaks.