Why You Need a Plumber to Check Your New Home

The settling of a home, as well as typical wear and tear, can cause issues with pipes and other plumbing fixtures.

For example, when corrosion and rust settle into old galvanized pipes, it can create strange smells and cause discolored water to come out of the faucets. In addition, a build-up of hair, grease, and other debris can make it hard for the pipes to drain outside the home.

This is why a thorough inspection is essential when you purchase a new home. An expert can determine if any issues are present that need to be handled before you move in.

Plumbing inspections are an important part of home maintenance. We’ll be walking through what a plumbing inspection is like, who can do it, and more. It’s well worth the effort of setting up an appointment so you can deal with problems before they get worse.

1. What to Expect from a Plumbing Inspection

When you have a professional plumbing inspection, an expert plumber will visit the home. They will review all the plumbing in the home to see what condition it is in. Some of the items that will be inspected during the process include:

• Bathtubs
• Faucets
• Indoor pipes
• Outdoor pipes
• Showers
• Sinks
• Water heaters

2. Reasons to Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

There are several reasons to have regular plumbing inspections, both before you purchase a home and after you are living in it.

• a) Home Protection: Even minor plumbing issues can create severe damage to the structure of your home and the surrounding property. The problem is that most people aren’t trained to locate these issues. If they aren’t resolved, the problems can become exacerbated and harder to deal with. Bringing in a plumber will help prevent serious plumbing issues that are costly to rectify.
• b) Savings: If you have a small leak or another issue in your home, there will be a small cost to fix it. However, leaving things to get worse can create the need for more significant and much more expensive repairs. Large problems can damage not only the home itself, but also your keepsakes and other personal items. A plumbing inspection requires a small investment, but it’s much less than the cost for repairs and replacement of things like floors, ceilings, and drywall.
• c) Peace of Mind: When you buy a home, an inspection can give you peace of mind that you are choosing a quality home. Leaks or other issues can leave you wondering what damage is present, but a plumbing inspection will make sure any problems are located quickly and handled immediately. This can offer comfort to you, the homeowner, since you’ll know your plumbing is in great shape and fully functional before you move in.

3. How Often to Schedule Inspections

After the initial plumbing inspection when you buy a home, you should continue to schedule plumbers to visit the house. Most experts agree that you should schedule examinations at least once every two years.

If you happen to live in a home that is more than 40 years old, with the original plumbing, you should have plumbing inspections more often. In this situation, have an inspection once a year.

4. Plumbing Inspection Providers

When you schedule a plumbing inspection, choose a professional company with experienced plumbers. Consider your options and do research to be sure you are getting quality services.

You can do a quick online search for any plumber you might use to see what reviews are available. Most local plumbers will have reviews on Yelp, Facebook, Google, and other locations that can give you lots of information.

5. Important Plumbing Considerations when Buying a New Home

Inspecting the entire plumbing system is essential, but some locations are more important to look at than others. For instance, in older homes, toilets can experience leaks at the base. This can lead to sewage issues and water damage. A plumber will look for floor warping, base discoloration, and leaking water.

In addition, the water heater needs to be inspected. Many of these appliances don’t last much longer than 10 years. The age of the system should be considered so you know whether it should be replaced before you move in.

Excessive usage and lack of maintenance can also cause corroded pipes. A plumber can determine if this is an issue. All of the pipes in the home should be inspected. It’s important to know what kinds of pipes are present and how old they are. For instance, older homes might have steel pipes. These aren’t used today and are often subject to corrosion. Plastic and copper pipes tend to last longer.

Each connection and exposed water line will be checked for leaks, signs of wear, and corrosion.

Washing machine and water heater connections will also be inspected, along with valves, faucets, and spigots inside a home.

The sewer pipes should also be inspected for any blockages, damage, or leaks. If there is an issue and you aren’t aware of it, you might end up spending a lot of money on repairs down the line.

6. Information Provided After a Plumbing Inspection

Once a plumber performs a full inspection of the plumbing in a new home, you’ll be provided information about any current problems or failures that might occur in the future. If the plumbing technician notices something that requires attention, they will often provide an estimate on the spot so it can be taken care of immediately.

7. When Plumbing Inspections Are Needed

Many of the most severe plumbing issues occur beneath the floors or inside the walls of a home. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for the average person to detect them. However, rattling pipes, decreased water pressure, and backed-up tub drains and toilets can be signs of plumbing issues.

When you are buying a new home, your entire plumbing system should be inspected with care. You’ll want an expert by your side who knows what to look for and how problems can be fixed.

Work with an expert in your area who has experience with these plumbing inspections. To find out more, check out Why Wait Plumbers on the Gold Coast.