Plumbing Inspection Questions
We are doing a gut reno with full plumbing work from A to Z. We are not clear on the “roughing” and “finishing” and the DOB plumbing inspection especially from time line perspective. We hear a lot of stories and we don’t know what to believe anymore. Some are telling us that we need to…
We are doing a gut reno with full plumbing work from A to Z. We are not clear on the “roughing” and “finishing” and the DOB plumbing inspection especially from time line perspective. We hear a lot of stories and we don’t know what to believe anymore. Some are telling us that we need to wait months to get an appointment for an inspector, one couple even said they will not wait to sheet rock and they will just show pictures of the work. We are on a tight budget and schedule, here are our questions:
1. How does a typical plumbing job goes with respect to DOB inspections?
2.If wait time is in months or for some reason inspector comes with objections if we can close the walls and deal with the city later?
3. Also can we deviate from approved plans as far as pipe routes and file an amendment later.
thanks and regards,
My own experiences were as flws:
1. No problem getting an appt within a week or so.
2. Do not close the walls if you fail inspection, next inspection inspector will fail you for no access on the spot.
3. I had all kinds of problems with different sched B interpretations by various inspectors.
It should be noted that under the new code you are allowed an extra deviation or two (like moving a toilet) than under the old code.
It can be confusing more than a bit but there are some policies at the DOB which you ca at least try to make it work to your advantage.
Important: Leave it up to your licemsed plumber regardless.
1. When an inspection is required you can have an inspection conducted in one of the following:
a. Having your licensed plumber self-certify. Advantage: Getting your inspection done when ready and you don’t needto wait for DOB. Disanvantage: In case of a spot check by the DOB the inspector can fail you and then all inspections will need to be done by scheduling ONLY.
b. Schedule an inspedction with DOB. Advantage: Inspector’s are more lenient at time of inspection for minor issues and they will pass you and just add a comment prior to signoff versus self-cert spot check they will fail you for the smallest issue. Disadvantage: An inspection can take a few weeks to get an appt. and can hold up your construction significantly.
Common differences resulting in failure on a self-cert spot check: schedule b or riser diagrams do not match with field observations
Indoor plumbing is sooooo 20th century.
This is where it is important to start the job right.Get a Plumber that is paperwork literate. I failed inspections because the paperwork was on two pieces of paper instead of being front and back of one piece of paper.Get a Licensed Plumber and Electrician that have a track record of COMPLETING jobs.See their Licenses and jobs that they have done. In my case I hired a Licensed Plumber, that completed 90% of the work and literally disappeared.Then the job went down a blackhole.The right people at the START of the job is to me the most important thing.
Your plans do not have to match until closing out the project. Most inspectors will make notes on the changes and will just inspect to make sure what is installed meets code. I suppose it could take months if the plumber will not self cert or is banned from doing so.
Jock deBoer, AIA
deBoer Architects
Frequently the inspector does not make the appointment and the licensed plumber self-certifies.
You will not be able to close up the walls until you pass inspection or self-certification. It took about a week for a scheduled inspection the last time my plumber called.
You want to make sure that your filed plans and Schedule B match up otherwise you will have to refile.
As far as Comment 1 goes, I have worked with my fair share of architects who do not understand the trades and are not good communicators. As far as communication, ditto for subcontractors.
F-O-R-G-E-T about taking pictures of the work and putting up walls over it. The DOB does not accept that anymore and hasn’t for years.
There has been a long backlog lately for sign-offs but it’s more like a matter of weeks than months and that may change at any time.
As far as pipe routes and riser locations, it depends on the inspector and how much you’ve deviated from the submitted and approved plans.
I do not understand. Don’t you have an arch, GC or plumber to ask these questions to? I mean you are doing a complete gut, right?