Home Buyers & Homeowners
Understand major plumbing and HVAC conditions before closing, remodeling or planning a long-term maintenance budget.
Know the Systems Before You Buy, Budget or Approve Work
Complete Plumbing & HVAC Property Inspections
Right Away inspects accessible plumbing, gas, heating, cooling and mechanical systems. We serve home buyers, homeowners, property managers and commercial owners. We review visible plumbing for applicable Illinois or Chicago code concerns. We also identify verifiable water-service material and take pictures. The report separates urgent items from planned work and routine monitoring.
Property Managers & Associations
Get clear documentation that can be shared with owners, boards and maintenance teams when prioritizing work.
Commercial Properties
Review accessible plumbing, HVAC and mechanical equipment before a purchase, lease, build-out or capital plan.
Above-Ground Plumbing & HVAC Inspection
We evaluate accessible equipment and components as they exist on the day of the inspection. Our trade experience helps us recognize visible installation, maintenance, safety and condition concerns that may be easy to overlook during a general property walkthrough.
- Visible water-supply and drain piping
- Identification of visible water-service material, including lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic
- Review of accessible plumbing for observable Illinois or Chicago code concerns, as applicable
- Accessible gas piping, shutoff valves, appliance connections and visible venting
- Fixtures, faucets, toilets and accessible shutoff valves
- Water heater or tankless water heater condition
- Sump pumps, ejector pumps and accessible drainage equipment
- Visible signs of leaks, corrosion, improper connections or prior repairs
- Furnace, boiler, heat pump and air-conditioning equipment
- Thermostats, controls, filters, condensate drainage and accessible ductwork
- Commercial or residential mechanical equipment that is accessible at the visit
Gas-Line & Appliance Connection Inspection
We inspect accessible gas piping, shutoff valves and appliance connectors. We also check visible venting. The inspection looks for corrosion, damage, improper materials and unsupported piping. Gas-leak detection or pressure testing may be added when appropriate.
A visual inspection cannot verify concealed gas piping. Pressure testing may require separate scheduling, system shutdown and applicable utility or authority procedures.
Underground Sewer-Camera Inspection
An underground sewer problem can become one of the largest unexpected plumbing costs after a purchase. When the building sewer is accessible, an optional camera inspection provides a direct look inside the line instead of relying only on how it drains during a short visit.
- Optional camera inspection of an accessible building sewer
- Visible roots, buildup, offsets, cracks, bellies or damaged sections
- Approximate observations about line material and condition where visible
- Video or photo documentation of important findings when available
- Recommendations for cleaning, repair, further testing or monitoring
Camera visibility depends on access, line condition and obstructions. Concealed, inaccessible or unobservable conditions cannot be ruled out.
Furnace, Condenser, Boiler & Water-Heater Inspection
Heating, cooling and hot-water equipment can be costly to repair or replace. We inspect accessible equipment and operate systems when conditions allow. The report covers age, condition, visible maintenance and safety concerns. It also notes when repair, service, more testing or replacement planning may be needed.
Furnace & Heat Exchanger
We inspect accessible furnace components inside and outside. We record the model, serial number and age when possible. We also check the filter, blower, burners, ignition, venting, condensate and accessible heat exchanger.
Air Conditioner & Condenser
We inspect accessible indoor cooling parts and the outdoor condenser. We check the age, coils, electrical parts, refrigerant piping and drainage. We also note damage or signs that more testing may be needed.
Boiler & Home Heating
We inspect the accessible boiler, burners, venting, controls and circulators. We also check the expansion tank, relief valve and visible piping. The report covers age, leaks, corrosion and maintenance concerns.
Water Heater & Tankless System
We inspect accessible tank and tankless water heaters. We check age, venting, combustion air, relief protection and piping. We also look for corrosion, leaks, scale and signs of maintenance.
Age and maintenance history
We use labels, serial numbers, service stickers and available records to check equipment age and maintenance. We also review its visible condition. If the age or service history cannot be confirmed, the report marks it as unknown.
Inspection reduces uncertainty but cannot promise that equipment will never fail. Concealed defects, intermittent failures and refrigerant or combustion problems may require specialized diagnostic testing beyond the standard visual and operational inspection.
Illinois & Chicago Plumbing Code Review
We review accessible plumbing under the applicable Illinois plumbing code. For Chicago properties, we use the Chicago Plumbing Code. The report lists visible concerns with materials, connections, drainage and venting. It also covers fixture protection and water-heater installation.
This professional trade inspection is not a municipal inspection or code- compliance certificate. Codes change, local amendments may apply and concealed work cannot be confirmed without access.
Water Supply & Service-Line Material
We identify visible or otherwise verifiable water-service and supply-line material, including lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic. We also look for corrosion, restricted flow, leaks, previous repairs and conditions that may point to future replacement or additional testing.
A service line may change material underground or between the public and private portions. If any section is concealed or cannot be verified, the report marks it as unknown and recommends the proper next step rather than guessing.
A Clear Report With Pictures
The inspection is useful only if the findings are understandable. Your report organizes observed conditions with supporting pictures, explains why an item matters and separates immediate concerns from routine maintenance and future planning.
This helps a buyer plan before closing, a homeowner avoid surprise expenses, and a property manager or commercial owner support budget decisions with clear documentation.
Your inspection report may include:
- Property and system identification
- Pictures of important conditions and equipment
- Equipment age, model and serial information where determinable
- Observed maintenance condition and any available service-history evidence
- Furnace, heat-exchanger, condenser, boiler and water-heater findings
- Safety or reliability items that deserve prompt attention
- Recommended repairs, further testing or monitoring
- Priority guidance for budgeting and decision-making
How the Inspection Works
- 1
Schedule the property
Tell us the property type, closing or decision date and which systems need review.
- 2
Inspect accessible systems
We evaluate the agreed plumbing, heating, cooling and mechanical areas and document observed conditions.
- 3
Add underground camera work
When requested and accessible, we inspect the building sewer with a camera and document visible findings.
- 4
Receive the report
You receive pictures, findings, priorities and practical next-step recommendations.
Better Information Can Prevent Expensive Surprises
No inspection can predict every failure or expose every concealed condition. It can give you clear information about accessible systems. Use the report before a purchase, repair budget or long-term maintenance decision.
Right Away performs the inspection and explains the findings. If work is needed, we can prepare separate repair or replacement options. You are not required to hire us for that work.
Inspection Questions
Is this the same as a general home inspection?
No. A general home inspector reviews the whole property. We focus on accessible plumbing, heating, cooling and mechanical systems. Our trade inspection can support a general inspection, but it does not replace one.
Do you inspect underground plumbing?
An optional sewer-camera inspection can check an accessible building sewer. The camera may show roots, buildup, cracks, offsets or low areas. Some underground pipes may not be accessible or visible.
Do you inspect gas lines?
Yes. We inspect accessible gas piping, shutoff valves, appliance connections and visible venting. We look for corrosion, damage and installation concerns. Leak detection or pressure testing may be added when appropriate. We cannot inspect concealed piping without access.
Do you check plumbing against Illinois and Chicago codes?
We review accessible plumbing for visible concerns under the applicable Illinois or Chicago plumbing code. The report lists items that may need correction or more review. This trade inspection is not a municipal code certificate. We cannot confirm concealed work without access.
Can you tell whether the water service line is lead or copper?
We identify visible or verifiable water-service material. This may include lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic. If part of the line is concealed, the report states what we confirmed and what remains unknown.
How thoroughly do you inspect the furnace and heat exchanger?
We inspect accessible furnace components inside and outside. We record equipment details, review its age and visible condition, and operate it when conditions allow. We also check the accessible heat exchanger for visible damage. Some concerns may require added combustion or carbon-monoxide testing.
Do you inspect the air conditioner and outdoor condenser?
Yes. We inspect accessible indoor cooling equipment and the outdoor condenser. We review equipment age, coils, electrical parts, refrigerant lines and condensate drainage. A suspected refrigerant leak may require separate testing.
Do you inspect boilers and water heaters?
Yes. We inspect accessible boilers, piping, controls and water heaters. We look for leaks, corrosion, venting concerns and signs of poor maintenance. The report notes when repair, service or replacement planning may be needed.
Can you tell whether equipment was maintained?
We look for service labels, records and visible signs of maintenance or neglect. This includes dirty coils, filters, burners, scale and corrosion. If we cannot verify the history, the report marks it as unknown.
Will I receive pictures and a written report?
Yes. We provide an organized report with pictures, observed conditions, priority notes and practical recommendations so buyers, owners and managers can understand the findings.
Can the inspection help before buying a home?
Yes. It can identify visible plumbing and HVAC concerns before closing. The findings can help you plan costs and make a better-informed decision. They do not guarantee future performance or reveal every concealed condition.
Do you inspect commercial and multifamily properties?
Yes. We inspect residential, multifamily and commercial properties and can document equipment condition for owners, property managers, boards and facility teams.
Can you estimate repair priorities after the inspection?
We organize findings by urgency and explain likely next steps. When appropriate, we can provide separate repair or replacement options after the inspection. You are not required to hire us for that work.
Schedule a Plumbing & HVAC Inspection
Serving home buyers, homeowners, property managers and commercial properties throughout Des Plaines, Chicago and the surrounding Chicagoland communities.
Right Away Plumbing and HVAC — licensed, bonded and insured.