Plumbing inspection process
Typically, a plumbing inspection is the process of checking of an existing home or any structure that has plumbing, to investigate the current condition. Typically, this is thought to be for a property is being sold to assure a potential buyer of its condition. There is also a plumbing inspection for new construction that is making sure everything is up to building code.
Once you own a home, you don’t think that plumbing and inspection will ever be two words used again unless you do some remodeling or add-on construction. However, and most homeowners are not aware of, having a plumbing inspection for their home periodically as part of the regular maintenance plan can be helpful.
In this article, we are going to answer questions about plumbing inspection, review the process and what a plumbing inspection checklist may include. We will provide a plumbing inspection example and explain why each of the things in the inspection are important. By the end of this piece, you will see the value add of having a routine plumbing inspection for your home.
What does a plumbing inspector look for?
Having a professional plumbing inspection can provide a homeowner several major benefits compared to performing a plumbing inspection yourself. With the experience and expertise of a professional plumber, they will do a comprehensive check of the following items:
- Drains and Faucets
- Showers and Tubs
- Toilets
- Pipes and Supply lines
- Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal – lines and unit
- Water heater
- Washing Machine – connections, hoses, and lines
The inspection will include check the complete health condition of plumbing system, including the water pressure. The plumber will then provide you an inspection report that includes notes and recommendations. You can use this for a checklist in getting things done before they become an emergency problem, whether you do it yourself or have it done.
Why is having a plumbing inspections important? The are a few reasons that are beneficial to having a plumbing inspection on a routine basis:
- Protection for Your Home – Extensive damage can occur from even a minor plumbing problem, putting the integrity of your home’s structure in jeopardy and destroying your property. Most homeowners are not trained in all things plumbing, so having the experience and trained eyes of a plumber can be crucial in preventing a plumbing nightmare.
- Money Saver – Yes, spending money on a professional plumbing inspection is going to save money in the end. The smallest leak can cause expensive damage when left undetected by the untrained. Beyond property and structure damage, your personal items are risk of being damaged too, including heirlooms, keepsakes, and pictures. The ceiling, drywalls, and floors can be replaced, those personal items cannot.
- Peace of Mind – As a homeowner, locating a leak can be scary if you can’t determine where it is coming from and what has caused, both of which are important in correcting problem. With a routine plumbing inspection, the smallest of leaks will be detected and fixed. This can give you great comfort and peace of mind knowing that the plumbing in your home is working right and your home is safe from damage.
How do I pass a plumbing inspection?
If the plumbing inspection is maintenance purpose, there is no need to worry about passing a plumbing inspection. However, if you’re selling your home, you want to make sure that all is right for the plumbing inspection so that nothing cancels or delays the sale. The areas that you want to focus on for the plumbing inspection are:
The Bathrooms: This area has a heavy traffic flow for most homes and the most plumbing issues. Areas the plumbing inspection will include, and you want to give special attention are:
- Faucets
- Drains
- Toilets
- Caulking
Miscellaneous Plumbing Inspection Areas: Consider this the catch-all category of a plumbing inspection.
- The Water heater
- Sump pumps
- Spigots and in-ground sprinklers
- Washing machine connections and drainage
The Kitchen: Another heavily used room in most houses and another room with a lot of plumbing and potential problems.
- Sinks
- Faucets
- Shutoff valves
- Garbage disposals
- Dishwashers
- Refrigerators
The Septic and Sewer: If you have maintained regular maintenance on these areas, there shouldn’t be any issue. Preventing stoppages in the main sewer line or septic system can be unhealthy and expensive.
- Septic system drain field
- Sewer mains
- Vent pipe
How do I know if my plumbing is bad?
Plumbing problems aren’t always obvious, and it is those hidden problems that can cause the most damage to your home. When there is a plumbing problem discovered, it needs to be fixed immediately to stop potential damage. Signs of possible plumbing problems include any of the following:
- Dripping Faucets: This is annoying and may seem to be a minor issue, but it is costing you each month on your water bill and it is wasting one of our natural resources.
- Clogged and Slow Drains: A basic household plunger can often fix a clogged or slow drain, but when there is an odor coming from the drain, you may have a bigger problem hidden in the pipes. If the plunger, over-the-counter products, or home remedies don’t clear a clog or slow drain, and the odor is still present, call a professional plumber. They will do a plumbing inspection to find the problem and then advise what needs to be done.
- Weak Water Pressure: If the water only trickles when you turn on a faucet or spigot, there could be residue in the pipes, a leaking pipe, or other issues. Look for the obvious and if you aren’t able to pinpoint a problem, schedule a plumbing inspection with a professional plumber.
- Running Toilets: This is as annoying and expensive as a dripping faucet and wasting a natural resource too.
- Smells and Stains: Water stains on the ceiling, floors, or walls that are accompanied by a musty odor is often related to a water leak. These stains will mildew and grow mold, making your home unhealthy. A professional plumbing inspection can locate the problem and get if fixed, then you can have a contractor repair the ceiling, floors, and walls where the damage has happened.
What are the signs of a broken sewer pipe?
One thing you don’t want a plumbing inspection to find when trying to sell your home is sewer line problems. If you have any of the following, before the inspection, get these remedied or you’ll never sell your home:
- CLOGS: Occasional clogs are expected, but when the clog is on a daily basis or the drains are slow, there is an obstruction somewhere along the line to the sewer line and may be in the sewer line. A professional plumbing inspection can locate the exact area and problem so that you can get it repaired before placing your house on the market.
- SOGGY: A leaking sewer line will create soggy areas in the yard. This is often caused by tree roots busting the pipe, or the pipe as reached its life capacity. A professional plumbing inspection will locate the exact area and problem, then get it fixed for you, getting your house one step closer to selling it.
- ODORS: You know what goes into a sewer line and if you’re smelling it outside in the yard, you have a sewer line problem. Call your plumber immediately for a plumbing inspection and have the problem fixed, even if you aren’t selling the house, this is unhealthy.
So, can bad plumbing make you sick? Absolutely! When there are plumbing leaks undetected inside the home, mildew and mold begin to grow. This can irritate anyone with allergies or breathing issues and if you don’t have those already, they can begin to develop. Sewer lines that aren’t draining properly are not getting rid of the wastewater which means that sewage is sitting under your home or in the pipelines. To get started on your plumbing inspection in Marietta, GA, call 404-475-3009 today!