Experts say that across the United States, small leaks in plumbing result in massive water loss. Numbers show that the US loses over 10,000 gallons of water annually.
There are many benefits of plumbing inspections. As a homeowner, it’s not something you should ignore. Whether you or tenants live on your property, keeping the plumbing well-maintained helps you save money.
But what should plumbing inspection include? What should you look for when hiring a plumbing company?
If you’d like these questions answered, keep reading. Here’s a complete plumbing inspection checklist for your home.
What Is a Plumbing Inspection?
A plumbing inspection is an assessment of your property’s plumbing system completed by a professional. Plumbing inspections are crucial to keeping repair costs low because you can identify issues while they’re still minor.
If you don’t schedule regular inspections, you run the risk of having severe plumbing issues down the line. These more extensive repairs will cost more to fix. You want to ensure you’re hiring a plumber with the appropriate licensing and registration for a job well done.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Plumbing?
As a homeowner, you don’t want to put off plumbing inspections for too long. The age and condition of the house determine the regularity of your checks. Scheduling them at least once every two years can help catch problems before they grow, but you should inspect older properties more frequently.
Inspecting plumbing systems isn’t only for maintenance purposes. You also want to get your plumbing inspected during the following events:
- Upgrading or remodeling a home
- Purchasing a new home
- Selling your property
Plumbing Inspection Checklist
If you’re ready to schedule your first plumbing inspection, knowing what to expect and what it includes is helpful so there are no surprises on the day. Here’s our ultimate checklist for a comprehensive plumbing inspection:
- Inspect ceilings and walls for water stains
- Check water pressure
- Confirm the taps for hot and cold water are correct (hot on the left and cold on the right)
- Ensure pipes fit properly and replace your cast iron pipes if necessary
- Check taps for leaks or damages
- Inspect water drains for clogging
- Inspect if toilet fittings are secure
- Ensure the water system is properly sealed
- Inspect plumbing components for signs of cracks, leaking, or brittleness
- Ensure pipes fit properly
- Check pipe insulation for damages
- Check valves have no leaks
- Inspect temperature valves
- Ensure that gas outlets are installed properly
- Make sure all water lines are roughed in at the appropriate height and location
- Ensure the waste outlet is capped and located correctly
- Make sure the drainage line is free of corrosion and damage
- Make sure all penetrations in the floor and ceiling are sealed properly
- Ensure sure there is no dripping from the spigot
- Make sure the gutters are free of obstructions
Ace Your Plumbing Inspection
Scheduling regular plumbing inspections is crucial if you own a home. If you ignore rising plumbing system issues, you risk a costlier solution than if you identify problems early on.
Checking your plumbing includes ensuring your pipes fit correctly, drains are not clogged, valves have no leaks, and all gutters are debris-free. Hopefully, this plumbing inspection checklist has helped.
If you’ve found this article helpful, we have more in our Latest Articles category. We cover many topics, so you’ll find something enjoyable.