Fahison
Leaking Joints
High- Cause:
- Poorly made welds or joint fittings.
- Impact:
- Stains and damp after finishing.
Stage 6: Electrical, Plumbing & ACPlumbing Inspection
Plumbing Inspection
Rough-In and Handover
Water and drainage pipes disappear inside walls and under tiles and floors, and any leak shows up after you move in. We sit down with the plumbing contractor before work starts, inspect the first fix and clean-out before they are covered, then take handover of the sanitary fixtures and drainage after installation.
From 700 AED
4+1inspections and pre-planning
- Specialised Engineers
- Photo Report
- All Emirates
Plumbing ChecksIllustration
Cold waterHot water
What Is Plumbing Inspection?
The plumbing and drainage inspection starts with pre-planning with the plumbing contractor, followed by four visits: the plumbing first fix inside the house, including the pressure test; then the clean-out first fix before backfilling (clean-out is the American drainage system that uses sealed lines with access points instead of manholes); then the clean-out handover once complete; and finally the final handover after the sanitary fixtures and water heaters are installed.
The inspection matters because pipe leaks show up months later: stains on ceilings and walls, damaged tiles, or slow drainage and odours. Repairing them means breaking tiles and walls after the finishes are complete.
Pre-Planning and Inspections
Start by planning with the plumbing contractor before work begins, then the inspections in order. Each inspection can be booked on its own.
Before the Plumbing Contractor
Pre-Planning with the Plumbing Contractor
For: Owners who deal directly with subcontractors (owner-builders).
When: Before the Plumbing Contractor starts work.
Our engineers sit down with the plumbing contractor on site before work begins to align standards, explain quality requirements and agree on the correct method of execution, so you avoid common mistakes and guesswork from the start.
What Do We Agree on with the Contractor?
Acceptance Criteria
We explain to the contractor how their work will be accepted, before they start.
Plumbing Drawing
Reviewing point and sanitary fixture positions with the contractor.
Drains & Clean-Out
Drainage line falls and access point positions.
Materials and Joints
Pipe type, jointing method and pressure testing.
Inspection Schedule
When we come back to inspect before each covering.
What Does Pre-Planning Prevent?
Guesswork
Every contractor works their own way if you have not agreed the standards with them.
Breaking Out After Finishing
A leak or wrong falls after tiling means breaking up floors and walls.
Disputes with the Contractor
Requirements are clear and agreed before execution, not after.
Inspection 1 of 4
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Plumbing First Fix
When: After the water supply and drainage pipes are laid, and before plaster and tiling.
Once covered, the pipes can only be reached by breaking out. We pressure-test them and check falls and positions while they are exposed.
Key Items We Inspect
Pressure Test
Pressure-testing the water pipes and checking for leaks.
Drainage Falls
Falls of the drainage pipes towards the outlet.
Point Locations
Positions of mixers, basins and WCs according to the drawing.
Heights
Height of water points above the floor.
Pipe Diameters
Diameters match the intended use and the drawing.
Fixing and Joints
Pipe fixing and soundness of joints.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Insufficient Drainage Falls
High- Cause:
- Falls not set during installation.
- Impact:
- Slow drainage and repeated blockages.
Mixer Points in the Wrong Place
Medium- Cause:
- Sanitary fixtures drawing not followed.
- Impact:
- Breaking tiles to relocate them.
Inspection 2 of 4
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Clean-Out First Fix
When: After the drainage lines are laid and the clean-out access points installed, and before backfilling and covering.
The clean-out system relies on fully sealed lines, so their tightness and the positions of their access points are the foundation of the system. The drainage lines also get backfilled and covered. We check falls, joints and access point positions while they are exposed, because changing them after covering means digging and breaking out.
Key Items We Inspect
Line Falls
Falls of the drainage lines towards the outlet point.
Pipe Diameters
Drainage line diameters match the drawing.
Access Point Locations
A clean-out access point at every change of direction and at suitable intervals.
Stack Bases
A clean-out access point at the base of every soil stack.
Joints and Branches
Tight joints and branches aligned with the direction of flow.
Line Testing
Filling the lines with water and checking for leaks.
Levels
Line level at the connection point to the public network.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Reverse Falls in the Lines
High- Cause:
- Levels not set during installation.
- Impact:
- Stagnant drainage and repeated blockages.
Leaking Joints
High- Cause:
- Joints not sealed before backfilling.
- Impact:
- Soil settlement and odours around the house.
Missing Access Points
Medium- Cause:
- No access point installed at every change of direction.
- Impact:
- Difficulty clearing the lines when blocked.
Inspection 3 of 4
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Clean-Out Handover
When: After the lines are complete and the access point caps are fitted, and before the external flooring.
We check that the access points are visible and easy to reach, and that the lines drain without blockage, before the external flooring is laid around them.
Key Items We Inspect
Access to Points
Every access point is visible and not buried under the flooring.
Caps
Tight caps of a type suited to the location.
Access Point Levels
Access point levels match the finished floor.
Flow
Water drains through the lines without standing.
Cleanliness
Lines free of construction debris.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Buried Access Point
High- Cause:
- Covered by flooring or backfill.
- Impact:
- Breaking the floor whenever there is a blockage.
Debris Inside the Lines
High- Cause:
- Construction debris thrown in during the works.
- Impact:
- Early blockages after moving in.
Poorly Sealed Cap
High- Cause:
- Unsuitable or damaged cap.
- Impact:
- The system loses its advantage: odours and entry of insects and rodents.
Inspection 4 of 4
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Plumbing Final Handover
When: After the sanitary fixtures and water heaters are installed.
We make sure everything works before you move in: water arrives at the right pressure, and drainage flows away without leaks or odours.
Key Items We Inspect
Water Pressure and Flow
Water reaches every point at adequate pressure.
Hot Water
Hot water reaches the mixers from the heaters.
Leaks
No leaks under basins or at mixers.
Drainage
Drainage speed of basins, floor drains and WCs.
Sanitary Fixture Installation
Fixtures secure, level and sealed at the edges.
Odours
Traps in place and no drain odours coming back.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Leak Under the Basin
Medium- Cause:
- Loose joints during installation.
- Impact:
- Damage to the woodwork and cabinets beneath.
Slow Drainage
High- Cause:
- Insufficient falls or debris in the pipes.
- Impact:
- Standing water and repeated blockages.
Drain Odours
Medium- Cause:
- Missing or incorrectly fitted trap.
- Impact:
- Odours in bathrooms and kitchens.
Equipment We Use
From the Fahison equipment featured on our home page.
Pressure TesterSpirit Level
Tips Before the Inspection
To help you get more out of the visit.
Do
- Request the first fix inspection before waterproofing and tiling.
- Request the pressure test before the pipes are covered.
- Request the handover before moving in and installing cabinets.
Avoid
- Covering pipes before the pressure test.
- Changing sanitary fixture positions after the first fix.
- Throwing construction debris into the drainage pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plumbing Inspection.
What is pre-planning?
An on-site session with the plumbing contractor before they start, where we agree on quality standards, method of execution and inspection dates. Suitable for owners dealing with contractors directly, from AED 500.
What is clean-out?
It is the American drainage system, based on fully sealed lines without manholes. Instead of manholes, sealed access points with caps are installed at changes of direction and at the base of stacks, and are opened only when there is a blockage.
What are the advantages of the clean-out system?
It is cleaner than the traditional system, because the lines are sealed, with no open manholes where sediment collects. It keeps out insects and rodents, prevents odours, and makes it easy to clear any line from the nearest access point.
What is a pressure test?
We fill the water pipes and raise the pressure for a period while watching the gauge. If the pressure drops, there is a leak that must be fixed before covering.
When should I request the first fix inspection?
After the water and drainage pipes are laid, and before plaster, waterproofing and tiling.
How much does a plumbing and drainage inspection cost?
From AED 700.
Inspections in the Same Stage
Electrical, Plumbing & AC.
Plumbing First Fix Done?
Book the inspection before covering, and we will arrange a visit time with you.