Harrisburg Home Inspection: Plumbing Terms Explained

Older homes in central Pennsylvania often come with a page of plumbing notes. Here is what the common ones mean. Your inspector is the best guide to your report, and a plumber can explain repair options and costs.

Supply pipes

Galvanized supply — Older steel pipe that rusts inside and lowers pressure. See repiping.

Possible lead service line — A soft, dull gray pipe entering the house. Ask your water provider and a plumber.

Active leak — A drip or stain found during the inspection.

Drains and sewer

Cast iron stack — The main vertical drain, often original in older homes; cracks and rust should be checked.

Sewer lateral — The line from the house to the public sewer. More: sewer laterals and tree roots.

Floor drain — A basement drain that can back up if the lateral is blocked.

Basements

Sump pump — Removes groundwater from the basement; age and discharge location matter. See sump pumps.

Efflorescence — White mineral deposits on basement walls showing water has passed through.

Discharge to sewer — A sump that drains into the sanitary sewer may not be allowed.

Water heaters

TPR valve — Relief valve that needs a proper discharge pipe.

Shared chimney — A gas water heater venting with the furnace; venting should be checked.

Inspection notes in older Harrisburg-area homes often come in clusters: a galvanized supply, an original cast iron stack and an aging lateral all tend to show up together. A plumber can help you decide which items need attention now and which can wait.

A plumber can price flagged items before closing. See drain cleaning and frozen and burst pipes.