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If you’re adding or replacing a water heater, hooking up the lines and flipping the breaker isn’t the final step. In the state of Kentucky, getting that bright green “APPROVED” sticker from a Division of Plumbing inspector is what officially completes the job.
Customer Issue A new home build on in Richmond needed its final plumbing and water heater inspection. However, because the main municipal water supply wasn’t hooked up to the property yet, standard water pressure testing wasn’t an option.
What We Did Our technician met a state plumbing inspector on-site to conduct an official pneumatic air test. He pressurized the hot and cold water lines along with the water heater tank to state code specifications. The system held solid pressure without the gauge dropping – which is a successful test getting a green Kentucky Division of Plumbing approval tag.
How State Inspections & Air Tests Work In Kentucky, the Division of Plumbing oversees all residential plumbing permits and final inspections. Whether it’s a new construction build or a standard tank replacement, state regulations ensure your system won’t leak, burst, or create backflow hazards.
–The Permit Requirement: Under Kentucky Plumbing Code (815 KAR 20:050), replacing or installing a water heater legally requires a permit and inspection. This creates an official legal paper trail showing the unit was installed to code.
–The Air Test (Pneumatic Testing): When municipal water isn’t turned on yet—or during cold winter months when standing water could freeze and burst inside unheated pipes—plumbers perform an air test. Compressed air is pumped into the sealed system to 45–60 PSI. Because air molecules escape small gaps far easier than water, a system holding air pressure proves every joint, crimp, and valve is 100% leak-free.
–Is It Required for DIYers? Yes! A common myth is that homeowners doing their own work can skip permits. In Kentucky, even if a homeowner pulls a personal homestead permit to install their own water heater, a state inspection is still legally required. Skipping permits can void your homeowner’s insurance coverage under “faulty workmanship” clauses if an uninspected line ever ruptures.
Here to Help Huge thanks to Tanner for coordinating with the state inspector and getting this job in Richmond (40475) approved! Need a code-compliant water heater installation or permit inspection in Central Kentucky? Visit our Services Page or give Right There Plumbing a call today!