Must an inspector examine a home for polybutylene plumbing?

In the context of a home inspection, the inspector is not legally required to specifically examine for polybutylene plumbing unless it has been stipulated in the inspection agreement or if there is a known concern about it. While polybutylene plumbing was widely used from the 1970s until the mid-1990s and is known for potential issues such as leaks, the inspection should focus on visible and accessible components as part of a general assessment of the home's plumbing system. Therefore, unless the inspector has reason to believe that polybutylene is present or it is a known issue in the area, there is no mandated obligation to specifically identify it during the routine home inspection process.

Inspections may cover various aspects of plumbing systems, but identifying every specific type or material isn't necessarily required unless it's explicitly included in the service agreement or the inspector has been informed of a potential problem.