A plumbing assessment is a detailed examination of your plumbing system by a professional plumber, says Jambi Property Management Company. Its goal is to uncover hidden problems in your plumbing in order to understand the origin of those problems and their potential impact, as well as recommend effective solutions.
Plumbing inspections are typically undertaken when:
Doing preventative maintenance
Scheduled plumbing inspections every 1-2 years are the best way to stay ahead of the developing problems in your plumbing. These inspections ensure that you are not reacting to issues but taking steps to keep them from happening.
Trying to diagnose problems
If there are strange sounds in your plumbing or you think there is a leak in your home, a plumbing inspection will help you find the location and cause of the problem, as well as help determine the extent of the issue.
Buying or selling a home
For sellers, plumbing inspections provide a snapshot of the home’s plumbing, allowing them to fix any existing issues and thereby boost their chances of selling the home fast. For buyers, a plumbing inspection uncovers the plumbing issues that sellers and home inspections are unlikely to reveal.
Remodeling your home
If you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen remodel, a plumbing inspection will show you if the current plumbing is enough to accommodate the planned changes. It ensures that your new kitchen or bathroom additions will work optimally.
Why your home needs a plumbing inspection
Plumbing inspections are a valuable cost-saving strategy for your home. You can use them to plan for future plumbing upgrades for your property. If done periodically, plumbing inspections will help you avoid unpleasant plumbing incidents in your home.
Here are five key reasons to have the plumbing system in your Illinois home inspected:
- Optimize plumbing system efficiency: To ensure optimal flow, reduce water wastage, and minimize energy consumption, you must be aware of the potential and existing problems in the plumbing.
- Ensure code compliance: Code-compliant plumbing systems don’t just help you avoid problems with the authorities; they ensure the safety of your home and everyone using the plumbing.
- Boost property value: When trying to sell your home, a plumbing inspection boosts buyers’ confidence. If you fix the problems flagged by the inspection, it can also increase your home’s market value.
- Prevent costly plumbing repairs: Regular plumbing inspections help avoid costly plumbing problems in your home. These inspections make it possible to find and fix plumbing problems at their early stages.
- Avoid structural damage: Clogs and leaks may be secretly harming your walls, ceilings, and foundations. Plumbing inspections help you find these problems before they begin or go too far.
What you should know when doing a plumbing inspection
Below are the key steps and components that should be included in a plumbing inspection. For your plumbing to work safely and efficiently, the inspection must cover these areas. The plumbing inspection report should also detail the outcome of these checks.
Visual inspection
This is a visual examination of the pipes, fixtures, and fittings that make up your plumbing. The plumber will look for signs of leaks, wear, corrosion, etc., and check to see if the plumbing meets existing plumbing codes. Every exposed component of the plumbing will be looked at.
Pipe check
Plumbing pipes will be scrutinized for corrosion, leaks, and indications of deterioration. The inspector will flag weak points that can cause future problems in supply lines and drain pipes. The types of pipe materials in the plumbing, along with their maintenance needs and projected lifespan, will be noted.
Water pressure check
Water pressure readings will be taken at various points in your home. These checks help the inspector determine if the static water pressure falls within the recommended range if the water pressure is enough for efficient operation of the plumbing, or if there is low water pressure.
Water heater inspection
This check looks at the water heater to make sure it is leak-free, operating properly, and in compliance with relevant safety standards. It also looks at the water heater’s maintenance records and energy consumption and measures the water temperature to make sure it is at safe levels.
Drainage system assessment
This critical phase of the inspection uses specialized waterproof cameras and augers to scrutinize your drainage pipes for leaks, clogs, cracks, tree roots, and aging or banned plumbing materials. It is an extensive check that ensures optimal water flow.
Sewer/septic system checks
This part of the inspection also uses specialized waterproof cameras to check the sewer line for leaks, cracks, bellies, and other problems. Among other things, the inspection looks for signs of poor drainage while checking the condition of baffles and filters.
Plumbing inspections should only be done by professional plumbers. Before hiring a plumber to inspect your plumbing, it is a good idea to check if they have the necessary experience to carry out the inspection and interpret the inspection results correctly.