What is a functional flow test?

A functional flow test is designed to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of a home's plumbing system by simulating how it performs under normal usage conditions. The act of running plumbing fixtures in the same bathroom simultaneously is a common practice that allows inspectors to observe the system's ability to maintain adequate water pressure and flow when multiple demands are placed on the system at once. This reflects real-life usage where multiple fixtures, such as sinks, showers, and toilets, might be in use by occupants at the same time.

It's crucial for evaluating whether the plumbing system can handle combined demands without significant drops in pressure or flow rate, ensuring that all fixtures operate effectively without showing signs of strain or inadequacies, which could indicate potential issues in the plumbing infrastructure.