Without question, your home is the single most significant investment you are ever likely to make. The plumbing inside your home is another significant part of that investment. If you’re considering purchasing a home, whether the house is new or older, you should arrange for a plumbing inspection before the decision to buy. For people who already own their own home and never had a plumbing inspection, you should arrange one as a diagnostic and preventative measure.
The plumbing in your home is not cosmetic. It is an integral part of the overall function of a house. If you have a leaking pipe or clogged drain or notice the potential of a plumbing problem, the issue must be addressed before it becomes a bigger problem and major headache. You can live with the outdated wallpaper in the front hall, but you can’t live with a toilet that won’t flush or basement full of sewage water.
How often should I have an inspection?
Homeowners should have their plumbing inspected frequently. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Preventing major plumbing disasters on your property is well worth the investment since even a small leak, over time, can lead to foundation issues,
What to look for as possible problems
If you detect anything out of the ordinary, a professional pipe leak test can put your mind at ease. It’s worth every penny to have it checked out. This kind of inspection can help you determine if you need to proceed with professional repair or replacement work. It can help you identify if there’s even a problem in the first place. Leaks are never a good thing. They can waste substantial amounts of valuable water. They can lead to significant destruction as well.
If your water pipes are in trouble, they may develop corroded appearances. If you see a lot of rust on your water pipes, get them inspected. If you have water that’s persistently foggy in appearance, don’t brush it off. It can also be wise to take a look at your basement pipes.
Do these pipes have any conspicuous openings or cracks? If you fail to address these openings or cracks, they’ll inevitably intensify with the passing of time. Water pipe issues are particularly common in older structures. Water contamination can frequently signify the need for a water pipe inspection.
What to expect during an inspection
Each company varies a bit on how they go about inspecting your water pipes; however, these points are the most common and essential for a plumbing home inspection:
- in-depth investigation of all above ground, exposed plumbing, including shut-off valves and traps under kitchen, bathroom and laundry room sinks;
- inspection of the hot water tank or tankless unit;
- shut-off valve inspection;
- inspection of bathroom, kitchen and laundry room renovations to ensure draining and venting systems are not compromised;
- basement floor drain system inspection;
- sump pump and discharge inspection, to determine if there is any obstruction and what type of pump and horsepower output is sufficient and suitable to prevent basement flooding
- plumbing of underground sanitary drains and sewer pipes, which reveals cracks and misalignments that can lead to drain blockage or collapse.
Numerous Advantages to Inspection
Whether you are purchasing a new or resale home or never had the plumbing checked in your current house, a plumbing home inspection is a critical educational and preventative maintenance tool. A small investment of several hundred dollars can potentially save you tens of thousands and offer you peace of mind.