What Is a Plumbing Inspection—and Do You Really Need One?

Let a Technician Inspect Your Property

Become the best homeowner you can be by making sure your plumbing system runs properly. Don’t make the mistake many homeowners make, which is to wait until there’s something wrong to schedule service. Hidden plumbing issues can develop long before visible leaks or backups occur. Plumbing inspections are a proactive way to identify problems before they become expensive repairs. These inspections are useful for both newer and older homes. In this article, you will learn what a plumbing inspection includes, when you should schedule one, the benefits of regular inspections, common problems plumbers discover, and when it’s time to call a licensed plumber.

What Is a Plumbing Inspection?

Let’s go over what a plumbing inspection is. It’s a comprehensive evaluation of a home’s plumbing system. An inspection is performed by a licensed plumber, and it’s designed to identify current problems along with potential future issues. It can be part of routine maintenance or requested before buying or selling a home. Components that are commonly inspected include water supply lines, drain and sewer lines, faucets and fixtures, toilets, water heaters, shut-off valves, visible pipes, water pressure, and signs of leaks or corrosion.

Why Plumbing Inspections Are Necessary

Although it might require you to go a little bit out of your way to schedule a checkup, it’s definitely necessary. One reason you should is because you can catch small problems before they become expensive. For example, you could stop minor leaks from turning into significant water damage. Moreover, corrosion may weaken pipes over time, and loose fittings can eventually fail. Small issues are generally cheaper to repair than emergency plumbing failures. Improve plumbing efficiency by detecting inefficient fixtures, identifying hidden leaks that waste water, lowering monthly water bills, and ensuring plumbing fixtures operate properly. Protect your home from water damage, mold and mildew, damaged flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and structural damage if leaks go unnoticed for long periods of time.

What to Expect During Your Plumbing Inspection

Learn about what plumbing examinations include so you know what to expect. One of the purposes of maintenance includes checking for visible leaks, moisture around fixtures, water stains, damp cabinets, and signs of hidden leaks. Another purpose of checkups is to inspect for corrosion, rust, mineral buildup, cracks, and aging materials. Expect your technician to make sure the water pressure works fine. This is important because high water pressure stresses pipes and fixtures. Low water pressure may indicate leaks, blockages, or pipe deterioration. Drain inspection is something technicians do. The plumber will check to see if there are slow drains, recurring clogs, sewer line concerns, and ensure there’s proper drainage throughout the home. Technicians are going to inspect your water heater. This person will evaluate the condition of the tank, corrosion, leaks, sediment buildup, temperature settings, and an estimated remaining lifespan.

When to Call a Technician for Maintenance

During your homeowning experience, it’s important to know when you should contact a technician for maintenance. For example, this is definitely necessary to do before buying a home. Discover hidden plumbing issues before closing and prevent unexpected repair costs. Before selling a home, address plumbing problems before listing, increase buyer confidence, and reduce the likelihood of inspection surprises. For older homes, it’s important to hire a technician since these types of properties benefit from periodic checkups due to the fact that materials naturally deteriorate over time.