The window between rough-in inspection and drywall is the most important documentation window in plumbing. Once the walls close, every pipe location exists only in memory — and memory doesn't hold up in a dispute.
This guide covers exactly what to photograph during plumbing rough-in, in what order, and how to make that documentation useful for the next 20 years.
Why rough-in documentation matters
Three situations where rough-in photos save you money:
- Damage claims — a future contractor or homeowner claims a pipe you installed caused damage. Your timestamped photo showing the installation condition on the day it was completed is the answer.
- Future service calls — a plumber coming in five years later needs to locate your shut-off valves, your pipe runs, your clean-out positions. If you have a documented record, you can pull it up remotely and talk them through it without a site visit.
- Insurance claims — adjusters want documentation. Contractors who can produce a complete photo record at rough-in get paid faster and disputed less.
Plumbing rough-in documentation checklist
Supply lines
- All supply runs photographed before framing closes — show the full run, not just connections
- Every shut-off valve — GPS-tagged, with location description in the caption
- Water meter location and main shut-off
- Pressure test results — photograph the gauge reading
Drain, waste, and vent
- All DWV runs photographed from multiple angles
- Every clean-out position — measure from a fixed point and document it
- Vent penetrations through top plates and roof
- Trap locations for every fixture
Fixtures (pre-cover)
- Rough-in dimensions for every fixture — toilet, shower, tub, sink
- Backing in walls for grab bars if specified
- In-wall stops before cover plates go on
Connections and transitions
- All transitions between pipe materials (copper to PEX, cast iron to ABS)
- Soldered, glued, or compression joints — photograph before covering
- Any non-standard installations with a note explaining the deviation
How to do this without slowing down
The mistake most plumbers make: waiting until after the rough-in to photograph everything. By then you're working from memory and missing half of it.
The right approach: photograph as you install. Every valve gets a photo the moment it's in. Every clean-out gets a photo before the floor goes down. It adds 30 seconds per item and builds a complete record automatically.
Manifold's GPS photo feature tags every photo with location, date, and time automatically. Walk the rough-in with your phone before close-up. Every photo lands in the project timeline. PDF report for the owner in one tap. See our plumbing contractor app guide or the as-built records workflow.
Start your free trial — $16/user/month, no seat minimums.
More Plumbing Contractor Guides
.png)
