Frisco, Prosper, and Celina are some of the fastest-growing suburbs in the country, and that pace puts real pressure on builder plumbing crews and inspection timelines. New doesn’t always mean problem-free — builder-grade fixtures, rushed inspections, and expanding clay soil can all lead to issues within the first few years. This checklist covers what to inspect at walkthrough, during your first year, and before your builder warranty expires, so small issues don’t turn into expensive ones.
Why New Construction Plumbing Still Needs a Second Look
Growth corridors like Frisco, Prosper, and Celina are adding thousands of new homes a year. That’s good news for buyers, but rapid development means plumbing crews are often moving fast across multiple job sites, and city inspectors are stretched thin covering a high volume of new builds.
New construction plumbing is required to meet code, but “meets code” and “built to last” aren’t always the same thing. Builder-grade fixtures, minimum-spec water heaters, and fast-tracked pressure tests can pass inspection and still cause problems once the home has been lived in for a year or two.
This is especially true in this part of North Texas, where expansive clay soil shifts with moisture changes and can stress newly laid pipe over time.
The New Construction Plumbing Checklist
- At Your Final Walkthrough
- Run every fixture at once. Turn on multiple sinks, flush toilets, and run the shower simultaneously to check for pressure drops.
- Check water heater settings and capacity. Confirm the tank size (or tankless unit) matches your household size, not just the builder’s minimum spec.
- Inspect visible shut-off valves. Every sink, toilet, and appliance should have an accessible, functioning shut-off — not painted over or seized.
- Look under sinks and around the water heater for moisture. Even a faint water line or discoloration can indicate a slow leak that started during construction.
- Ask for the pressure test report. Builders are required to pressure-test supply lines; a reputable builder will have documentation.
- Confirm sewer line cleanout location. You’ll want this accessible and clearly marked for future service.
- Within the First 90 Days
- Watch your water bill. A sudden or unexplained increase is one of the earliest signs of a hidden leak.
- Test water pressure with a gauge. Ideal residential pressure is 40–60 psi. New developments on shared municipal lines sometimes run high, which accelerates wear on fixtures and appliances.
- Check for slow drains. Construction debris (drywall dust, sealant, solder) can partially clog drains even in a brand-new home.
- Listen for gurgling or unusual sounds from drains or toilets, which can point to venting issues from the initial install.
- Before Your Builder Warranty Expires (Typically Year 1–2)
- Schedule a professional plumbing inspection, ideally a sewer line inspection, before your warranty window closes. This is the single best way to catch construction-related defects while the builder is still responsible for the fix.
- Reassess soil settling around the foundation. In Frisco, Prosper, and Celina’s clay-heavy soil, minor foundation shifts in year one are common and can stress underground supply and sewer lines.
- Check fixture finishes and seals. Builder-grade caulking and gaskets around tubs and showers often need re-sealing within the first year.
- Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve and confirm the expansion tank (if required) was installed correctly.
Common Builder-Grade Shortcuts to Watch For
| Issue | Why It Matters | What to Do |
| Minimum-size water heater | May not keep up with a growing family’s demand | Confirm sizing before move-in or plan an upgrade |
| PEX connections rushed at fittings | Higher risk of slow leaks behind walls | Have connections inspected within year one |
| No expansion tank on closed system | Can cause pressure spikes and premature water heater failure | Verify installation, especially on municipal water systems |
| Minimal sewer line slope | Can lead to slow drainage or backups over time | Request an inspection before warranty expires |
Why This Matters More in Frisco, Prosper, and Celina Specifically
These suburbs sit on soil conditions and infrastructure that differ from more established DFW neighborhoods:
- Newer municipal systems are still being built out in phases, which can mean inconsistent water pressure in some sections of a development.
- Clay soil movement is a known factor across North Texas, but new developments are especially exposed since the ground hasn’t fully settled around recently laid lines.
- Rapid permitting volume means inspection windows are tighter, so problems that would normally get caught can slip through.
None of this means your new home has a problem — it just means a second set of eyes, independent from the builder, is worth the peace of mind.
Why Homeowners Trust All Service Heating, Air & Plumbing for New Construction Inspections
All Service Heating, Air & Plumbing has served McKinney and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area since 1986, when Wayne Polen founded the company on a commitment to honest, reliable service. Today, that same family-owned approach carries over into our plumbing division. We offer:
- Sewer line inspections to catch issues builders and city inspectors might miss
- Honest, flat-rate pricing with no surprise fees
- Licensed plumbers who know North Texas soil and infrastructure
- A 100% satisfaction guarantee for peace of mind
Whether you’re closing on a new build in Frisco, breaking ground in Prosper, or settling into a new home in Celina, a pre-warranty-expiration inspection is one of the most cost-effective things you can do as a new homeowner.
Don’t wait for a slab leak or backed-up sewer line to find out something was missed. Schedule your new construction plumbing inspection with All Service Heating, Air & Plumbing before your builder warranty runs out.
Book Your Inspection Today or call (972) 846-0979.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after moving into a new home should I get a plumbing inspection? Ideally within the first 6–12 months, and no later than before your builder warranty expires (typically 1–2 years). This gives you time to have any defects corrected by the builder at no cost to you.
Do new homes in Frisco, Prosper, and Celina really need plumbing inspections? Yes. New construction still meets minimum code, not guaranteed long-term performance. Rapid growth in these areas means inspection timelines can be tight, and clay soil conditions common across North Texas can stress newly installed lines as the ground settles.
Is builder-grade plumbing lower quality than what a licensed plumber would install? Not necessarily lower quality, but often minimum-spec. Builders work to code and budget; a follow-up inspection helps confirm nothing was rushed or overlooked during a high-volume build schedule.