Getting the city to check your pipes: in-person or virtual inspection?

Totally get where you’re coming from. I just went through my first inspection (virtual, because that’s what the city offered), and honestly, I had a lot of the same questions.

- It felt weird trying to show everything with my phone. The inspector kept asking me to zoom in or move the camera, but I’m not sure I caught all the right spots.
- There was this one pipe under the sink that looked fine on camera, but later I noticed a tiny drip. Would an in-person inspector have caught that? Maybe, maybe not, but it makes you wonder.
- Smells are a big one. I had a weird musty odor in the basement, but the inspector couldn’t “see” that through the screen. He just kind of shrugged it off.
- I also had trouble getting the right angle on some of the pipes behind the water heater. My hands aren’t exactly steady, and the lighting was terrible.

I get that virtual is faster and probably easier for the city, but I’m not convinced it’s as thorough. Maybe for newer homes or simple stuff, it’s fine, but older houses (like mine) have all sorts of hidden surprises. I guess if you know what you’re looking for, it helps, but as a first-timer, I definitely felt out of my depth.

On the other hand, I’ve heard some folks say in-person isn’t perfect either - inspectors can miss stuff if they’re in a rush or just having an off day. But at least they can poke around and use all their senses.

If I had the choice next time, I’d probably push for in-person, just for peace of mind. Virtual’s convenient, but there’s something about having someone actually there, tapping pipes and sniffing around, that feels more reassuring.

I totally relate to the struggle with virtual inspections - been there, fumbled with the phone, cursed the lighting. Here’s what’s helped me: I use a headlamp (hands-free, plus you feel like a miner), and I prop my phone on a stack of paint cans for steadier shots. Still, you can’t “smell” a musty basement through Zoom, and I’ve definitely missed leaks that only showed up later. Virtual is fine for quick stuff, but if your house is older or quirky, in-person just feels more thorough. At least then if something smells funky, it’s not just you wondering if it’s your socks.

Getting the city to check your pipes: in-person or virtual inspection?

I’ve tried both, and honestly, I lean toward in-person for anything more than a quick check. My house is pushing 80 years old, and there’s always something weird going on with the plumbing - old joints, odd smells, you name it. I did a virtual inspection last year to save a few bucks, but it was a hassle. The inspector kept asking me to tilt the phone this way and that, and I was crawling around trying not to drop it in a puddle. Missed a slow leak behind the water heater that only showed up after a heavy rain. Ended up paying more to fix it later.

I get the appeal of virtual - less time off work, no waiting around - but for older homes, it just doesn’t catch everything. If you’re on a tight budget, maybe start virtual, but don’t skip an in-person follow-up if anything seems off. Sometimes you just need someone with a flashlight and a good nose to spot the real problems.

Totally get where you’re coming from. My place isn’t quite as old (built in the 60s), but I’ve run into similar headaches with virtual inspections. It’s just tough to get a good look at all the nooks and crannies through a phone screen, especially when you’re trying to juggle a flashlight and not trip over boxes in the basement. I tried it once and ended up missing a corroded shutoff valve - cost me more in the long run.

You nailed it about the “good nose” part. There’s stuff you just can’t pick up virtually, like that faint musty smell or a tiny drip you only notice when you’re right there. Virtual is fine for newer homes or if you just need a quick check, but for anything more, I’d rather have someone on-site.

Honestly, your approach makes sense - start virtual if you have to, but don’t skip the in-person if things seem off. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra hassle and cost.

Getting The City To Check Your Pipes: In-Person Or Virtual Inspection?

Yeah, the virtual thing is just awkward. When I bought my place last year, I tried doing a virtual walk-through with the inspector and it felt like I was filming a really boring horror movie - dark corners, weird noises, and me tripping over stuff. Missed a leaky pipe behind the water heater that way. Ended up calling someone out in person anyway, so it doubled the hassle. I get why they offer virtual, but honestly, for anything more than a quick look? Not worth risking it, at least not for me.