When is a plumbing inspection required?
It is a standard routine to have your HVAC system, roof, and gutters inspected, but what about a plumbing inspection? Why would you want to have a plumbing inspection? Well, plumbing issues like the drains being slow or backing up are the most common reasons for this service.
If you are a potential buyer, you should want this kind of inspection, and mortgage companies will typically require a plumbing inspection of the home you’re considering. For the mortgage company, every inspection they require, including a plumbing inspection, is essential. Why?
During a plumbing inspection, an inspector will find any possible issues, allowing you to request the seller fix it or negotiate a lower price. Finding problems before you close the deal could save you a lot of hassle and money later.
So, should you have a plumbing inspection If you already own your home? Absolutely! By getting a plumbing inspection annually, it serves the same purpose of finding potential issues before they become big problems. Plumbing can cause a lot of expensive damage in a short time. Getting a plumbing inspection on a routine basis will provide you with the following:
- Identify issues before they become problems and cause excessive damage
- Improve the efficiency of your water usage
- Locate clogs if you’re having problems
- Locate leaks you may not know you have
- Identify pipe that are on the border of failing
What happens during a plumbing inspection?
There are a lot of components to a house, and for a homeowner, overlooking things that need repair or replacing can be easy until they finally quit. Like appliances, the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems matter. A plumbing inspection, like an HVAC inspection, lets you stay on top of things, keeping them running smoothly. Find a problem now before it becomes a major expense!
A professional plumbing inspection will include checking any place that has water connected to it and running. This includes:
- Bathroom, kitchen, laundry room sinks
- Toilets – including inside the tank
- Tubs
- Water heater – including the PRV and if the unit needs flushing
- Washing machine plumbing
- Dishwasher plumbing
- All water lines
- All water pipes
- All plumbing connections
A thorough plumbing inspection will be inside, outside, and under your home. All outside water hydrants will be checked, and if your plumbing inspection is done prior to winter weather, they will make sure the plumbing is anti-freeze protected.
How much is a plumbing inspection?
This will depend on the size of your house and the number of plumbing connections. For an average size home, a plumbing inspection will generally cost around $200 to $250. For a larger home with or plumbing, the price could be as much as $500. Other factors that can affect the cost will be if the water heater needs to be flushed.
What is a sewer line inspection?
A basic plumbing inspection as we have described can, and should, include a sewer line inspection. This is done with a waterproof video plumbing camera. Inspection is done by pushing this camera attached to a fiberoptic wire through the sewer lines. The images are then relayed back to a small computer/television screen.
This allows the plumber to see inside all the sewer lines and other hard to reach plumbing pipes to find breaks, clogs, and cracks. This includes sewer and plumbing inspections of underground pipes, plumbing that is encased in concrete, that’s inside the foundation, and plumbing behind walls. The potential problem makers that can be found are:
- Tree root intrusion
- Cracked pipes
- Punctured pipes
- Corroded pipes
- Misaligned pipes
- Obstructions and grease buildups
How long does a sewer inspection take?
A plumbing inspection will typically take longer because there are more components to be inspected. An average sewer inspection could be between 30 minutes to an hour, the time it takes being affected by the accessibility of the main sewer line.
What is a rough plumbing inspection?
A rough plumbing inspection is done when a house is being built from the ground up or when a house has been gutted for remodeling. The plumbing is placed “roughly” where it will go, and the final connection will be finalized when the inspector approves the rough-in.
In Closing
If you aren’t sure how to get a plumbing inspection, simply search the internet for plumbers in your area and ask if they do plumbing inspections. If they do, ask about the cost and inquire if a plumbing inspection report is included. Once you have a good rapport with a local plumber, you can use them for emergencies and standard repairs or installations. Having a good, honest, and affordable plumber in your directory is always a good thing. As they do your annual inspections, they will learn your house and the plumbing circuit and your home. If you find yourself in need of a plumbing inspection in Pottstown, PA, you can reach out to Drainmen Plumbing Inc by calling 484-366-9362.
