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 from A to Z for home buyers, homeowners, property managers and commercial owners. We review visible plumbing for applicable Illinois or Chicago code concerns, identify verifiable water-service material and document what we see with pictures. The report explains which items need attention now, which can be planned and which should be monitored.
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, appliance connectors and visible venting for corrosion, physical damage, improper materials, unsupported piping and other observable concerns. When requested and appropriate, gas-leak detection or pressure testing can be added to the inspection scope.
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 represent some of the largest expenses a new owner inherits. We inspect accessible equipment carefully, operate systems when conditions allow and document age, condition, visible maintenance, safety concerns and signs that repair, cleaning, further testing or replacement planning may be needed.
Furnace & Heat Exchanger
Inside-and-out inspection of accessible furnace components, model and serial information, estimated or verified age, filter and blower condition, burners, ignition, venting, condensate where applicable, visible maintenance condition and the accessible heat exchanger.
Air Conditioner & Condenser
Inspection of accessible indoor cooling components and the outdoor condenser, including estimated age, coil condition, electrical components, refrigerant piping, condensate drainage, physical damage and visible signs that leakage or neglected maintenance may require further testing.
Boiler & Home Heating
Inspection of the accessible boiler, burners, venting, controls, circulators, expansion tank, relief valve and visible distribution piping, with age, leakage, corrosion, maintenance and repair or replacement concerns documented.
Water Heater & Tankless System
Inspection of accessible tank or tankless equipment, estimated age, venting, combustion air, relief protection, piping, corrosion, leakage, scale or flushing indicators and observable evidence of maintenance.
Age and maintenance history
We use equipment labels, model and serial information, service stickers, available records and observable condition to estimate or verify age and assess whether maintenance appears current. When age or maintenance history cannot be confirmed, the report marks it as unknown and explains what should be verified or serviced after purchase.
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 installations for observable concerns under the applicable Illinois State Plumbing Code and, when the property is within Chicago, the Chicago Plumbing Code. The report can identify visible improper materials, connections, drainage, venting, fixture protection, water-heater installation and other items that may need correction or further verification.
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 future failure or expose every concealed condition. What it can do is give you experienced, documented information about the accessible systems before you make a major purchase, approve a repair budget or inherit years of deferred maintenance.
Right Away provides the inspection and explains the findings. If repair or replacement work is recommended, we can prepare separate options, but there is no requirement to hire us for that work. Our goal is to help you understand the property and make a better-informed decision.
Inspection Questions
Is this the same as a general home inspection?
No. A general home inspector reviews the overall property. Our inspection focuses on plumbing, heating, cooling and accessible mechanical systems using experienced trade knowledge. It can support a general inspection but does not replace one.
Do you inspect underground plumbing?
An optional sewer-camera inspection can evaluate the accessible underground building sewer. The camera shows the inside of the line and may reveal roots, offsets, buildup, cracks, low areas or other visible concerns. Not every underground pipe is accessible or visible.
Do you inspect gas lines?
Yes. We visually inspect accessible gas piping, shutoff valves, appliance connections and related visible venting for signs of corrosion, damage or improper installation. Leak detection or pressure testing can be added when requested and appropriate. Concealed piping cannot be evaluated without access, and any required utility or authority procedures must be followed.
Do you check plumbing against Illinois and Chicago codes?
We review accessible plumbing work for observable concerns under the applicable Illinois State Plumbing Code and, for properties within Chicago, the Chicago Plumbing Code. We document visible issues and items that may need correction or further verification. This is a trade inspection, not a municipal code-compliance certificate, and concealed work cannot be confirmed without access.
Can you tell whether the water service line is lead or copper?
We identify the visible or otherwise verifiable water-service material, including lead, copper, galvanized steel or plastic where present. When part of the line is concealed or the public and private portions differ, the report explains what was confirmed and what remains unknown or requires records, utility verification or additional testing.
How thoroughly do you inspect the furnace and heat exchanger?
We inspect accessible furnace components inside and outside, record the model and serial information, estimate or verify age, review visible maintenance condition, operate the system when conditions allow, and inspect the accessible heat exchanger for visible signs of damage or concern. Additional combustion, carbon-monoxide or specialized heat-exchanger testing may be recommended or included depending on the agreed scope. No non-invasive inspection can guarantee that every concealed defect will be found.
Do you inspect the air conditioner and outdoor condenser?
Yes. We inspect accessible indoor cooling components and the outdoor condenser, record equipment information and age where determinable, review coil condition, electrical components, refrigerant-line condition, condensate drainage and visible signs of leakage or poor maintenance. Confirming a refrigerant leak may require separate electronic leak detection, pressure testing or further diagnostics.
Do you inspect boilers and water heaters?
Yes. We inspect accessible boilers, related piping and controls, and water heaters or tankless systems. We record age where determinable, look for leaks, corrosion, venting or combustion concerns, maintenance condition and signs that repair, cleaning or replacement planning may be needed.
Can you tell whether equipment was maintained?
We look for service labels, records and physical evidence of maintenance or neglect, including dirty coils, filters, burners, scale, corrosion and overdue service items. If maintenance history cannot be verified from records or observable evidence, the report identifies it as unknown rather than guessing.
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, help you plan repair or replacement costs and give you better information for your decision. Findings do not guarantee future performance or eliminate every possible 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.