Whether you’re buying a new home, selling your home, or looking to protect your current investment, a lot goes into home maintenance. Aside from the obvious things, like your roof and HVAC system, you also need to pay attention to your plumbing.
Plumbing inspections are an important part of maintaining your home. Plenty of things can go wrong deep in your walls that you won’t notice until it’s too late, like when your basement is flooded from a water heater burst or you’re paying for a sewer line cleanup.
Find out more about what you can expect from a plumbing inspection and why it’s so important for the safety of your home.
Why Plumbing Inspections Are Important
Home inspections are often superficial. Inspectors pay attention to the more obvious aspects of your home, such as the foundation and windows, but not your plumbing. They check the taps and showers or tubs, but they don’t look inside the walls.
A plumbing inspection is necessary to get a comprehensive view of the condition of your plumbing system. A professional plumber checks every component of your plumbing system, from the faucets and pipes to the water heater and sewer line, to ensure it’s all functional and in good condition.
If there are issues, such as leaks or failing components, you have time to get them corrected when it’s most convenient (and cheaper).
When Do You Need a Plumbing Inspection?
Plumbing inspections are important when you’re buying a home. You can’t rely on the home inspection to reveal issues with the plumbing, so get a plumber in to check on the system before you sign a contract.
If you’re selling a home, a plumbing inspection is a big selling point for a buyer. It shows that you keep up with your home and that the plumbing system is in proper working order, so the buyer knows they won’t have major unexpected repairs if they make a purchase.
Otherwise, you should have a plumbing inspection to keep up with your home’s system and protect yourself from breakdowns or big repairs. Like other aspects of home ownership, a plumbing inspection is an ounce of prevention for a pound of cure.
Find Hidden Issues
You can notice faucet leaks or drips in your home, but there’s often a lot more going on inside the walls before you see it in your sinks and tubs. A plumbing inspection helps you identify these minor issues lurking in your walls before you have major water damage or a system failure.
Financial Savings
If you’ve had unexpected plumbing repairs in the past, you understand how stressful and expensive it can be. With a plumbing inspection, you can identify repairs when they’re minor and easier to fix, saving you tons on potential repairs in the future.
Otherwise, if you wait until these problems are more obvious, you could end up having to make an appointment with whoever is available – that often means you can’t look around for competitive prices. Also, if you have leak, you’re probably paying a higher water bill than necessary.
Who Can Do a Plumbing Inspection?
Even if you have some plumbing know-how, it’s important to leave the inspection to the professionals. A plumbing company or plumber has the tools and expertise to identify problems that you may miss, and they know what next steps to take to keep your system running its best.
What to Expect with a Plumbing Inspection
Here are some of the common tasks that take place during a plumbing inspection:
Inspections of Plumbing Components
An inspection includes all the components of your system, including your toilets, showers, tubs, sinks, pipes, supply lines, and more. The plumber will look for any issues, including excessive wear and tear, cracks, leaks, and loose fittings.
Inspections of Your Outdoor Plumbing
Your plumbing inspection includes a check of your outdoor plumbing, such as your hose or irrigation system. The plumber will check over all these components and the entry points into your home to ensure everything is in good condition and not affected by frost.
Water Heater Inspection
Your water heater is prone to issues that can range from leaks to a buildup of pressure that can cause a catastrophic breakdown. Your plumber will check over every aspect of your water heater, including the pressure valves, connection points, pipes, and electrical components, to ensure it’s in working order.
Inspection of Your Sewer Line
Your sewer line is another part of your plumbing system that can spell disaster if something goes wrong. Sewer collapses or breakdowns are expensive, messy, and disruptive, but keeping up with its inspections and maintenance can keep it in optimal condition.
How Often Should I Have a Plumbing Inspection?
For the average homeowner, a plumbing inspection should happen at least once every two years to check over the entire plumbing system. This is ideal for newer homes, but if your home is decades old, you may want to get an inspection every year to be safe.
Plumbing inspections are also important if you’re buying a home. You want to know that you won’t be stuck with any major repairs after you officially make the purchase. Similarly, getting an inspection if you’re listing your home gives buyers peace of mind in knowing that you’ve taken care of your home’s maintenance.
Ready to get started with your plumbing maintenance?Contact us at Moore Home Services to schedule yours today!
