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Rental Property Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Rental Property Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for Landlords

Author: Rent Pros

property manager working with tenant on plumbing issue.

Rental Property Plumbing

Plumbing maintenance in a rental property is a bit different from plumbing maintenance when you live in your own house.

Rental property plumbing is not significantly different from plumbing systems found in owner-occupied homes.

But Property managers often handle plumbing maintenance and repairs with rental properties.

This can affect how quickly and effectively they’re able to fix issues.

However, rental property plumbing problems have a bigger impact compared to your own home.

In addition to water damage and repair costs, landlords must consider the problem’s financial impact on their business.

Plumbing issues can make rental property less attractive to potential tenants.

And faulty plumbing also exposes the owner to legal problems.

Maintaining rental property plumbing is harder because landlords can’t control what their tenants do to the plumbing system.

So, it is important to regularly monitor all plumbing systems in the property.

Monitoring plans help detect plumbing issues early before they become bigger problems.

The plumbing maintenance checklist below is the first step in building this monitoring system.

Rental Property Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

For your checklist to work, you need a schedule for plumbing checks on your rental property.

The regular maintenance can be quarterly, twice a year, or at the start and end of the tenancy.

Here are different categories of checks to do during plumbing inspections.

  • 1. Check for Leaks

    Look for signs of an active leak in the plumbing. Common locations for leaks in a plumbing system are valves, faucets, showerheads, toilet flappers, and loose pipe fittings. Common signs of leaks include moisture, mold, puddles, and watermarks on surfaces.

  • 2. Check your Drains

    Look for signs of an active leak in the plumbing. Common locations for leaks in a plumbing system are valves, faucets, showerheads, toilet flappers, and loose pipe fittings. Common signs of leaks include moisture, mold, puddles, and watermarks on surfaces.

  • 3. Check for Corrosion

    Corrosion is the silent killer of plumbing systems – you don’t know it is there until it causes an emergency. Check the pipes and pipe joints; look for rust on steel and a bluish-green deposit on brass and copper pipes.

  • 4. Check the Water Pressure

    High water pressure will damage the pipes, pipe joints, valves, and water-using appliances in the rental. Low water pressure will make the plumbing less efficient. Test water pressure with a gauge and install a pressure regulator.

  • 5. Check the Water Heater

    A comprehensive inspection of the water heater should be done at least once a year. Common points of failure in a water heater are anode rods and the TPR valve. Flush the water heater tank and do general maintenance for the appliance.

  • 6. Check Shut-off Valves

    In a plumbing emergency like burst pipes, overflowing toilets, or backed-up sewer lines, first turn off the valve. If you don’t know the location of the valve or the valves are not working, it is not possible to do this. Make sure you know the location shut-off valve. Don't wait for a plumbing emergency.

Pay particular attention to the following areas:

  • 1. Toilets

    Check the supply lines, shut-off valve, flush mechanism, and integrity of the toilet seat. Flush the toilet to make sure it evacuates waste properly. Running toilets are a sign of a leak which can drive up water bills. A leaky toilet can waste gallons of water daily. Check the tank for leaks and inspect the mounting bolts to make sure the seat is not loose.

  • 2. Sinks

    When inspecting sinks, pay attention to shut-off valves, faucets, drains, and the P-trap. Ensure the faucet is not leaking, loose, or clogged. Check drains for signs of leakage, such as stains, warping, peeling, mold, and mildew. Test the drain to make sure it is not slow.

  • 3. Bathtubs and Showers

    Limit the risk of slow and clogged drains by installing the right kind of strainer on each drain opening. Check the faucets, aerators and showerheads for clogs and mineral deposits. Look for signs of dripping and test the speed of the drains.

  • 4. Water Heaters

    Shut-off valves, TPR valves, burner assembly, and critical electrical/valve connections are important features of the water heater. Don't overlook vital areas such as cold and hot water pipes and the structural integrity of the tank.

Important Tasks to Include in Your Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

  • Flush the water line and drains, by running the water in the entire rental property at a high volume.
  • Check the refrigerator ice-maker water supply tubing for leaks and signs of damage.
  • Inspect caulking in sinks, showers, tubs, and toilet bases. If you find the caulking dried out or missing, then re-caulk.
  • Inspect the washing machine hoses for signs of leakage, swelling and corrosion.
  • Check the washing machine supply lines for wear & tear or loose connections. Inspect the surrounding areas for signs of leaks.
  • Run the garbage disposal; flush it to get rid of debris and bad odors.


Lastly, hire a professional plumber to do some of these system inspections and plumbing services.

Water heater maintenance and other difficult tasks are best left to a professional plumber.

Also, if you have your plumber do regular inspections, you can prevent many rental property plumbing issues.

Your Trusted Northern California Plumber

Being proactive with your plumbing maintenance is more cost-effective than dealing with unexpected repairs.

Our professional plumbers are ready to assist.

Schedule a service today and keep your rental property running smoothly.

Whether it’s a small fix or a bigger plumbing project, Millennium Plumbing Specialist is just a call away.

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