5 Things to Check During a Home Plumbing Inspection

Having a household plumbing inspection will help you prevent major problems caused by things like broken valves, clogged drains, and plumbing leaks. The inspection only takes a few minutes, and taking care of any issues it reveals will have the potential to save you thousands of dollars in renovation repairs further down the line.

1. Fixtures and Appliances

Your faucets, tubs, and other appliances need to be checked during a home plumbing inspection to make sure they haven't become loose. When a faucet set loosens up, it can cause the pipes leading to it to loosen as well-- or completely break. Similarly, your toilet will become unstable if the bolts attaching it to the floor are loose, often leading to leaks around the toilet base.

2. Plumbing and Valves

Symptoms of plumbing problems are not always visible. For example, pipes rattling in the walls are typically a sign of plumbing lines that aren't properly fastened inside the wall, allowing the pipes to shake and rattle when water flow is turned on or off. This may be a sign of age, poor workmanship, or related to valves that aren't fully opened.

3. Sewage Lines

Problems with your sewer lines range from things like a perpetually wet spot in your lawn, odors near drains, or sewer lines that aren't working at all. In some cases, your lines can be opened up by rooter service, but other situations require sewer line replacement. When that happens, it may be a good idea to consider trenchless sewer replacement to minimize potential problems and get the job completed faster.

 

4. Traps and Drains

If the traps under your tubs or sinks are clogged, they will prevent proper drainage. This can sometimes be corrected by the homeowner using a plumbing plunger, but some clogs will have to be loosened and removed using a plumbing snake. If you have drains that are flowing slowly or not at all, try using a plunger first then call for a plumbing inspection if that doesn't fix the problem.

5. Water Heater

Your water heater is a vital part of your plumbing system. Water heaters need to be replaced about every 20 years, but they may need minor repairs along the way. Replacing a thermostat or heating element usually takes only a few minutes, and repairs of this type are much more affordable than replacing a water heater with only minor problems.

When your plumbing inspection is done by a licensed plumber, repairs can usually be made right away, reducing the damages caused by leaks and allowing you to focus on other things. Compared to the damages that they prevent, plumbing inspections can save you a lot of time and money.