Keeping up with your home’s maintenance is an important part of homeownership. You not only protect your investment, but you can save money on major repairs by keeping up with small problems as they arise.
While you may focus on more obvious things like your roof or siding, your plumbing shouldn’t be neglected. Though you can’t see most of your plumbing system, small leaks or cracks can lead to huge problems if left unaddressed.
The best way to safeguard your plumbing is with a comprehensive plumbing inspection that ensures small issues are addressed quickly and correctly before they become a collapse or breakdown.
Why Plumbing Inspections Are Important
A typical home inspection when you’re purchasing a home often focuses on more superficial concerns, such as the windows or doors. Your plumbing, which is mostly contained within walls or floors, isn’t on the list beyond ensuring faucets work and the toilet flushes.
You should always have a plumbing inspection if you’re buying a home. Your home inspection won’t include a thorough inspection of your plumbing system, and if you sign a contract without this information, you could end up with a lot of money in repairs or replacements.
The same is true if you’re selling your home. Having a recent plumbing inspection gives a buyer peace of mind in knowing that your plumbing system is in working order and has been appropriately maintained.
Otherwise, it’s important to get a plumbing inspection to keep your system in good condition and catch issues as they begin. Otherwise, you may not notice problems until you have a plumbing emergency.
Find Hidden Issues
One of the most common repairs your plumbing system will need is to fix a leak. Though small, leaks slowly cause water damage that can ruin your walls or floor – even your foundation if severe enough. Often, these leaks begin deep in the walls or floors with the pipes you don’t see, not your tap.
Financial Savings
If you’ve dealt with plumbing repairs in the past, you know how quickly a small problem can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Those repairs are much easier and cheaper to deal with if you get them early.
Another benefit is that you have time to get these problems fixed. If you let an issue progress to something significant like a burst pipe, you need a plumber as soon as possible. But when you discover a small leak as part of an inspection, you can take a little time to find a plumber with the expertise you want.
Who Can Do a Plumbing Inspection?
You may take your plumbing system for granted, but it’s a complex system with many components. It’s best to work with a professional plumber or licensed plumbing company, such as ASI Heating and Air, to ensure you’re caring for your system properly.
What to Expect with a Plumbing Inspection
What’s involved in an inspection can vary, but it generally includes:
Inspections of Plumbing Components
Your plumber will thoroughly inspect all of your toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, pipes, and supply lines as part of the inspection. They’ll be searching for issues like improperly installed fittings, misalignments, leaks, cracks, and signs of water damage.
Inspections of Your Outdoor Plumbing
If you have outdoor faucets and fittings, such as pool components, hoses, or a nearby fire hydrant, these will be included in the inspection. It’s important that these lines are checked to ensure they’re in good condition and protected from frost.
Water Heater Inspection
Water heaters are an expensive appliance in your home, and a lot can go wrong with them. At best, you’ll have a few days of no hot water, but these appliances can also explode from pressure during a breakdown. Your plumbing inspection will include a checkup of the pressure release valves, connection points, and other fittings to make sure it’s working properly.
Inspection of Your Sewer Line
Your main sewer line and its components are another major aspect of your plumbing system that can be susceptible to a collapse or breakdown. These repairs are expensive, messy, and extremely inconvenient.
Many plumbers rely on a camera to check your sewer line and identify any signs of damage or misalignment that can cause problems in the future.
How Often Should I Have a Plumbing Inspection?
You should always get a plumbing inspection if you’re planning to buy or sell a home. It’s also a good practice to get a plumbing inspection every two years if you have a newer home, which is often enough to ensure everything is working properly.
If you have an older home, however, you may need annual plumbing inspections. Professional plumbers recommend yearly inspections if your home is 40 years old or older.
Do you need a plumbing inspection? Contact us at ASI Heating and Air to schedule yours today!
