What happens during a Plumbing Inspection?

Your house can be protected in a lot of ways. Some are obvious, like maintaining good paint and siding conditions, but some are not so visible, like leaking pipes and clogged drains. For instance, have you lately thought of having a plumbing check for your house? 

Step one is to identify minor issues before they become major ones; a thorough plumbing inspection report can help you save money and perhaps avoid inconvenience. 

If you’re considering a plumbing inspection to prevent these issues, it is important for you to know what even goes in one. 

Let’s go through what a home plumbing inspection is, why it’s good for your house, and how it can help you avoid future problems in your home.

Plumbing Inspection

A plumbing inspection is a detailed examination of your plumbing system. An inspector will comprehensively check the following:

1. All plumbing pipes—indoor, outdoor, sewage, supply lines, etc.
2. Restroom sinks and faucets.
3. Shower and bathtub systems
4. Water heating systems

A normal home plumbing inspection calls for either a home inspector or a qualified plumber.

Professional Home Plumbing Inspections

A professional plumbing examination is carried out by someone working just in the plumbing field. 

More thorough and time-consuming than a house plumbing examination, these inspections will examine the water filtration system, supply lines, and drains of the house. 

Along with looking under the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room sink, the inspections will also entail looking at ground-exposed plumbing and traps. 

Examining sump pumps, water tanks, shut-off valves, and water heaters, the expert plumbing inspector will make sure everything runs as it should. 

Certain expert plumbing checks verify that everything is presently compliant with the most recent building codes. A professional plumb inspector differs somewhat from a home inspector.

Typical Cost Of A Plumbing Inspection

The sort of plumbing examination you want will determine the average cost; still, this will usually be between $200 and $1000+. 

For instance, the overall home inspection cost will include the plumbing if it is part of a whole-home inspection conducted either during the purchase or sale of a house. 

Professional plumbing examinations that delve further than a standard house inspection could cost anywhere from $200 to $300. If unique tools like sewer cameras are part of your professional plumbing examination, then you should be ready to spend more. 

Depending on the plumbing business and the tools they employ, the cost of the sewage line inspection usually ranges from an extra $250 to over $1,000.

Types Of Home Plumbing Inspections

Visual Inspection

The most often used kind of professional inspection is a visually based one. As the name implies, the plumber will visually inspect every water and sewer fitting in search of leaks or other indicators of damage. 

They will also verify that appliances, including your water heater, are correctly connected and that all of your drains and drainage systems are operational.

Camera Inspection

A camera inspection comes right next. The plumber can check the inside of pipes using small high-resolution cameras, therefore spotting supply line or sewer line problems. 

Future drain obstruction is usually easily found with a camera check. It’s a complete approach to looking over your plumbing system.

Why Is A Home Plumbing Inspection Necessary?

Before you buy a house, an inspection is crucial since it will enable you to highlight any possible issues the former owners might have had and provide time for corrections. 

If there has been a flood in the house or another significant incident whereby pipes were compromised, inspections also help. 

An examination will help one determine what requires maintenance more easily than trying to identify which appliances might be leaking by looking at them separately following their already-stopped operation.

Read more about common plumbing problems and how to fix them.

What Happens During A Plumbing Inspection?

The expert plumber will search for your water supply system first, and the inspector will count the following:

Fixtures—faucets

• On every level of your house, including bathrooms, kitchens, and outside spigots for watering lawns and plants. The inspector will also check the number of fixtures and materials used in their manufacture. 
• For instance, copper and galvanized steel pipes should not be utilized anymore since with time these kinds of metals might corrode and create plumbing system problems.

Leaking Faucets

• Once all the water supply outlets on every level have been checked, they will listen intently to what sounds like running water coming out of them to determine where any leaks could be originating from. Sometimes, this is difficult to detect.
• Should no leaky faucets be discovered during this inspection, you might have to verify this once more once the project is finished. Should a leak exist, it calls for quick attention!
• After looking over every fixture up front, the inspector will then search behind the walls for any indications of water seepage and make sure the pipes are leak-free.

Bathroom Plumbing

• If you have bathrooms on every level of your house, they will inspect the toilet for leaks and cracks by peering up into the bowl to ensure no water is within.
• They will also check under any mounted fixtures (like an air vent) and all drains around the sink, tub, or bathtub.
•  If not promptly enough, even minor leaks from these pipes could cause major issues with mold development and structural rot. After lifting your toilet from its base—usually by pushing a lever on its side—the inspector will also check it by hanging a mirror beneath it and opening the trap door where they can view it inside.
• Usually a routine chore, this might occasionally reveal issues with malfunctioning flapper valves or other components requiring replacement—or worse, plugged drains!
• Should he discover anything during his visit, the inspector should advise you on what has to be corrected before he leaves.

Potential Leaks Right Next to Air Vents

• Listening intently around vents where screws may have come undone from aging or wear and tear helps one find this kind of leak.
• If one discovers leaks, tighten down those screws! One straightforward and quick approach to ensure your house is free of any issues that can raise future costs is to schedule monthly plumbing inspections.

A Water Heater

• A water heater and/or tankless water heater will be carefully examined to verify that the pilot light is operational and that all connections are securely and correctly connected.
• Water temperatures will be examined, and pressure-releasing valves will be tested.

Pipes

• Every pipe and fitting will be examined closely for leaks, corrosion, and cracks.

For Collapse or Obstruction

• To stop collapse or obstruction, a video camera will be carried out to check the sewer pipes, looking for any fractures or indications of misalignment.
• Every home water filtration device will be examined. Leaks will be checked on fire hydrants close to the house.

Advantages Of Regular Plumbing Inspections

Regularly testing your plumbing has many benefits. Among these are spotting breaks or cracks in pipelines. 

This lowers mold and water damage as well. Knowing the age and expected lifetime of your pipes will enable you to make restoration plans when the time calls for them. 

Knowing the degree of corrosion in your pipes will guide your decision on replacement. This helps prevent more leaks and harmful chemicals from leaking into your water source. 

Simplifying the next repairs could be done with a copy of your inspection report. Keeping your house’s worth intact. Regarding home appraisals, the condition of your plumbing system is really important. 

Having evidence of the good maintenance of your pipes will allow you to receive more for sale. Extending years of life to your plumbing system. Pipes are pressured by faults, therefore lowering their lifetime. Regular inspection will stop leaks and clogs and help prevent these defects. Lowering the possibility of a plumbing crisis.

If you feel like you’ve been experiencing some plumbing issues ,your house may be due for a plumbing inspection. Fix them before they become major crises cause fixing small leaks before they become major ones helps to save water and money.

So contact Advantage Inspection Service now for the safety of your family and to avoid long-term issues.

Get your plumbing inspection done now!