(a) Plumbing systems.
  (1) The inspector shall:
    (A) report:
      (i) location of water meter;
      (ii) location of homeowners main water supply shutoff valve; and
      (iii) static water pressure;
      (iv) visible material used for water supply lines and drain lines;
    (B) report as Deficient:
      (i) the presence of active leaks;
      (ii) water pressure exceeding 80 PSI;
      (iii) the lack of a pressure reducing valve when the water pressure exceeds 80 PSI;
      (iv) the lack of a visible expansion tank when a pressure reducing valve, check valve, or backflow preventer is in place at the water supply line/system;
      (v) the absence of:
        (I) fixture shutoff valves;
        (II) dielectric unions, when applicable;
        (III) back-flow devices, anti-siphon devices, or air gaps at the flow end of fixtures; and
      (vi) deficiencies in:
        (I) water supply pipes and waste pipes;
        (II) the installation and termination of the vent system;
        (III) the performance of fixtures and faucets not connected to an appliance;
        (IV) water supply, as determined by viewing functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously;
        (V) fixture drain performance;
        (VI) orientation of hot and cold faucets;
        (VII) installed mechanical drain stops;
        (VIII) commodes, fixtures, showers, tubs, and enclosures; and
        (IX) the condition of the gas distribution system.
  (2) The inspector is not required to:
    (A) operate any main, branch, or shut-off valves;
    (B) operate or inspect sump pumps or waste ejector pumps;
    (C) verify the performance of:
      (i) the bathtub overflow;
      (ii) clothes washing machine drains or hose bibbs; or
      (iii) floor drains;
    (D) inspect:
      (i) any system that has been winterized, shut down or otherwise secured;
      (ii) circulating pumps, free-standing appliances, solar water heating systems, water-conditioning equipment, filter systems, water mains, private water supply systems, water wells, pressure tanks, sprinkler systems, swimming pools, or fire sprinkler systems;
      (iii) inaccessible gas supply system components for leaks;
      (iv) for sewer clean-outs; or
      (v) for the presence or performance of private sewage disposal systems; or
    (E) determine:
      (i) quality, potability, or volume of the water supply; or
      (ii) effectiveness of backflow or anti-siphon devices.
(b) Water heaters.
  (1) General Requirements.
    (A) The inspector shall:
      (i) report:
        (I) the energy source;
        (II) the capacity of the units;
      (ii) report as Deficient:
        (I) inoperative units;
        (II) leaking or corroded fittings or tanks;
        (III) damaged or missing components;
        (IV) the absence of a cold water shutoff valve;
        (V) if applicable, the absence of a pan or a pan drain system that does not terminate over a waste receptor or to the exterior of the building above the ground surface;
        (VI) inappropriate locations;
        (VII) the lack of protection from physical damage;
        (VIII) burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches, or thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation, unless the unit is listed for garage floor installation;
        (IX) the absence of an opening that would allow access to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing permanent construction or building finish;
        (X) when applicable; a floored passageway and service platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service, repair or replacement;
        (XI) the absence of or visible deficiencies in the temperature and pressure relief valve and discharge piping; and
        (XII) a temperature and pressure relief valve that failed to operate, when tested manually.
    (B) The inspector is not required to:
      (i) verify the effectiveness of the temperature and pressure relief valve, discharge piping, or pan drain pipes;
      (ii) operate the temperature and pressure relief valve if the operation of the valve may, in the inspector's reasonable judgment, cause damage to persons or property; or
      (iii) determine the efficiency or adequacy of the unit.
  (2) Requirements for electric units. The inspector shall report as Deficient deficiencies in:
    (A) performance of heating elements; and
    (B) condition of conductors; and
  (3) Requirements for gas units. The inspector shall report as Deficient:
    (A) gas leaks in water heater not associated with the gas distribution system;
    (B) flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame color, or excessive scale build-up; and
    (C) deficiencies in:
      (i) combustion and dilution air; and
      (ii) vent pipe, draft hood, draft, proximity to combustibles, and vent termination point and clearances.
(c) Hydro-massage therapy equipment.
  (1) The inspector shall report as Deficient:
    (A) inoperative units;
    (B) the presence of active leaks;
    (C) deficiencies in components and performance;
    (D) missing and damaged components;
    (E) the absence of an opening that would allow access to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing permanent construction or building finish; and
    (F) the absence or failure of operation of ground-fault circuit interrupter protection devices.
  (2) The inspector is not required to determine the adequacy of self-draining features of circulation systems.
(d) Gas distribution systems.
  (1) The inspector shall:
    (A) report:
      (i) location of gas meter; and
      (ii) visible material used for gas distribution system;
    (B) report as Deficient:
      (i) noticeable gas leaks;
      (ii) the absence of a gas shutoff valve within six feet of the appliance;
      (iii) the absence of a gas appliance connector or one that exceeds six feet in length;
      (iv) gas appliance connectors that are concealed within or extended through walls, floors, partitions, ceilings or appliance housings;
      (v) deficiencies in:
        (I) gas shutoff valves;
        (II) access to a gas shutoff valves that prohibits full operation;
        (III) gas appliance connector materials; and
        (IV) the condition and type of gas distribution lines and fittings;
      (vi) lack of visible bonding on gas distribution system, including corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST); and
      (vii) lack of visible sediment traps.
  (2) Specific limitation for gas lines. The inspector is not required to:
    (A) inspect sacrificial anode bonding or for its existence;
    (B) pressurize or test gas system, drip legs or shutoff valves;
    (C) operate gas line shutoff valves; or
    (D) light or ignite pilot flames.

Source Note: The provisions of this §535.231 adopted to be effective January 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 3350; amended to be effective May 21, 2014, 39 TexReg 3863; amended to be effective September 7, 2016, 41 TexReg 6742; amended to be effective February 1, 2022, 46 TexReg 5770