How Often Should You Schedule a Plumbing Inspection?

How Often Should You Schedule a Plumbing Inspection?

The plumbing system of your house is your home’s veins. It pumps water indoors and the waste outdoors so that you have the liberty of cooking, cleaning, showering, and flushing blindly. However, pipes, drains and fixtures, just like other components of your house, require maintenance to remain in good condition.

During a plumbing checkup, one of the most intelligent attempts to avert plumbing emergencies happens to be the conduct of regular plumbing checks. However, a lot of homeowners lack knowledge regarding the frequency of performance. Some will call a plumber after something is broken. Some of them presume that inspections are only necessary when the homes are old.

In this article, we will show how frequently you would need a plumbing inspection, what professionals aspire to spot and the importance of such an inspection where regularity may help you save money and stress in the future.

Why Plumbing Inspections Matter

Why are inspections so important? Before we address that issue we should look at the issue of timing.

There are many hidden components in your plumbing. These pipes are behind your walls, under floors and in your yard. It is also possible that minor problems would form over time that you would not pick up immediately.

For example:

• Under your sink, a leak can begin to seep through a pipe.
• A drain line can be partially congested.
• A water heater may start rusting in a tank.

These issues can begin as minor issues and escalate after months or years. It may be after you notice the damage to water and detect sewer gas that you will be too late to repair it at a reasonable cost.

Such problems can be detected during regular inspections. The experience of a professional plumber is perfect in terms of knowing where to search and where to find those hard-to-detect leakages, corrosions, clogs, and other indicators of a catastrophe. It is far more cost-effective to fix the small problems, rather than correct the big problems.

How Often Should You Schedule a Plumbing Inspection?

The answer depends on a few factors:

Age of Your Home

Newer Homes (0–10 years old):
A complete plumbing check-up should be made every 2-year period. This will allow you to maintain warranties as well as detect things such as loose fittings or builder defects, even when things appear to be okay.

Older Homes (Over 20 years old):
The traditional plumbing systems have a high probability of developing leaks, corrosion, or blockage of their pipelines. Ensure that once a year, an inspection is scheduled to be ahead of problems.

Type of Plumbing Materials

Galvanized Pipes:
Such steel pipes were used in old houses. They are internally rusted, which causes blocks and leakage. When it comes to galvanized pipes, it is smart to check them once per year.

Copper or PEX Pipes:
These newer materials are permanent. The two years inspection would be fine, unless you see problems.

Water Quality

Hard Water:
In this case, with hard water whose minerals are elevated, they may accumulate in your pipes and fixtures as well as in the water heater. Arrange to have the inspections of the schedule every year to determine whether there is a buildup of scale.

Soft Water:
With treated or naturally soft water, you can wait slightly longer between the check-ups–every two years.

Past Plumbing Issues

You should be more proactive in case you had some leaks, sewer overflows, or water heater issues. Conduct regular checks to watch over repetitive problems.

What Does a Plumbing Inspection Include?

Having contracted a professional plumber, he will examine a number of your system parts as follows:

• Pipes: In search of leaks, corrosion and any signs of damage.
• Fixtures: testing the faucets, toilets and tubs to examine them for leaks.
• Water Heater: Checking rust, deposits and performance of the same.
• Drains: Inspection of flow and seeking slow draining pipes or obstructions.
• Sump Pump: Ensuring that it works properly in case you have one.
• Sewer Line: Inspection with the camera to ensure there are no cracks, tree roots or blockage.
• Water Pressure: Making sure that it is within a safe and regular norm.

Following the inspection, you will receive a comprehensive report of any needed repairs or recommendations in general.

Signs You Need an Immediate Plumbing Inspection

Although it might not have been a year, urgent needs must be addressed in some problems. Immediately call a plumber, in case you observe:

• Uncharacteristic hikes on your water bill
• Moisture on walls or ceilings
• Movement of musty or sewage odors
• Under the sinks, water stains
• Drains or toilets that gurgle
• Lowered water pressure
• Brown water or rusty water

That is an indication of a leak/blockage or other major issues that can soon cause a lot of damage to your house.

Benefits of Regular Plumbing Inspections

You may ask–whether it is worth the time and money to be inspected. They pay off because of the following reasons:

Prevent Water Damage

Just a small leak on the back of a wall could really do some expensive structural damage. These secret leaks end up ruining drywall, flooring, or your foundation and are detected during regular inspections.

Save Money on Repairs

Emergencies in plumbing cost a lot of money. There is a possibility of paying thousands of dollars to replace a water heater or to dig up a sewer line. Small problems can be fixed with the help of an inspection at a fraction of the cost.

Protect Your Health

Pipes that leak may result in the growth of molds that will cause allergies and difficulty in breathing. Leaks in the sewer system may put your family at risk of dangerous bacteria. A check up makes your house clean and secure.

Extend the Life of Your Plumbing

Routine cleaning and prompt fixing of problems will make your pipes, fixtures, and appliances last longer and save you the cost of ruining your home investment.

Improve Water Efficiency

A Plumber is able to identify drips and leaks that cause wastage of water. Repairing them saves money, reduces the water bill and conserves resources.

Can I Inspect My Plumbing Myself?

Homeowners can carry out some basic checks. Every two or three months, you will be able to:

• Perform inspections beneath the sinks in search of leaks and wetting indicators
• Inspect your water heater, waiting to rust or to store water
• Be on the lookout for a spike in your water bill
• Check to see that faucets and showers are at the right pressure

However, a simple visual inspection is far beyond what the professional plumbers can do with their special equipment, such as cameras, gauges and leak detectors. The licensed inspection gives an assurance that you are well placed regarding your plumbing.

Best Times of Year to Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

Although you may order an inspection at any given moment, most people prefer:

• Spring: Following the awfulness of the winter thawing and refreezing
• Fall: prior to cold weather comes fall
• Before You Buy: To Prevent any Surprises after You Move in

Where possible, make appointments in low seasons (not holiday) to have quicker appointments and better rates.

How to Choose a Plumbing Inspection Service

Not every plumber can provide an equal level of care. How to hire a professional, look at:

• Correct licensing and insurance
• Positives, ideas for writing
• Transparent pricing
• Specific inspection reports
• Prior exposure to the kind of plumbing that you have

Our plumbers at Lifetime Plumbing are licensed and come with years of experience in inspecting ancient galvanized pipes all the way to PEX systems. We will go through and discuss what options you will have, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Don’t wait for a plumbing catastrophe to come. Protecting your home, keeping it dry and comfortable, is done by performing an expert plumbing inspection.

Your plumbing performs day in and day out-allow us to keep it future-ready.

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