Plumbing emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. So, if you don’t want to deal with a 2:00 a.m. sewer backup or a failing water heater while you’re hosting holiday houseguests, take note!
Often the key to avoiding costly plumbing repairs is early detection. Small leaks could become floods. Standing moisture encourages mold and mildew growth. Blockages may become major clogs, causing major damage. That's where a whole-house plumbing inspection can really pay off by detecting any issues early on.
Why Are Whole-House Plumbing Inspections Important?
When you hire a professional plumbing company, you get several advantages over attempting to perform the task yourself. If they discover anything wrong, not only can you count on their experience and knowledge, but they will also be concerned with the issues that you might rather avoid dealing with.
Many homeowners are delighted to delegate tasks such as checking pipes beneath the home or dealing with vexing toilet flappers and sluggish-draining sinks. Professional inspections from a licensed plumber guarantee that your water heater is tested and flushed on a regular basis, while professional evaluations verify if your exterior pipes are adequately insulated against winter freezes. A thorough inspection from top to bottom may save you a lot of aggravation.
Plumbing System Inspection Checklist
Here are some example things you can expect from a house plumbing inspection performed by a professional plumbing company:
- Check your plumbing fixtures and faucets for any leaks or damage.
- When the spigot is turned off, make sure there are no water spills.
- Look for water stains or drips after the water has been running if there are any.
- Unclog any slow drains.
- Examine apparent indicators of water stains on the walls and ceilings.
- Ensure that the water pressure is adequate.
- Water flow should operate appropriately across all fixtures, including major appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, etc.).
- Remove the sediments from the water heater by draining it.
- Check for loose fittings, including the flapper, in the toilet.
- If there are visible cracks, brittleness, or leaking in plumbing hoses, replace them.
- Inspect all exterior hose faucets and gate valves
- Clean and inspect sump pump.
- Inspect the septic tank, sewage lines from the house to the curb connection, and drainage systems with a plumbing endoscope device.
Is a Home Inspection The Same as a Whole-House Plumbing Inspection?
A home inspection may not include all of the plumbing knowledge required to advise a potential homeowner about the house's full plumbing system. They usually inspect whether water flows from the taps, drains empty, and toilets flush. A professional whole-house plumbing inspection will go through an in-depth examination of your property's plumbing far more than a real estate home inspector.
While many houses come with a home warranty that will cover the building's various systems for a time, you may be out of pocket even if the plumbing system is in disrepair and your property is damaged as a result. In most cases, repairs required to put the house on the market will be made in order to avoid this scenario.
If you have some handyman skills and the time to repair, you may use your house plumbing inspection results to get a cheaper price on the property in order to cover for the materials and labor needed in correcting any concerns. But don't expect a full clean bill of health from the plumbing portion of any home inspection.
What If My House Doesn't Pass a Plumbing Inspection?
The most reliable approach to pass your plumbing inspection is to have your home's plumbing services on a regular basis. If you don't maintain your plumbing, you're more likely to encounter unforeseen problems with it.
The home plumbing experts at ARS/Rescue Rooter have performed countless whole-house plumbing inspections, and can easily identify inefficient system defects and potential problems. From sewer lines to water heating services and more, our expert technicians can make sure your plumbing system is working properly.
Call for a professional plumber at 866-399-2885 or find your nearest ARS/Rescue Rooter location to schedule your whole-house plumbing inspection today!
