You should know that your residential plumbing system makes up roughly 15% of your home’s value. So, there are certain home plumbing inspections and things you should do routinely to maintain and keep your system in its best functionality and shape.
Our standard and best home plumbing inspection and cleaning checklist are not very long. The only thing you should do is focus on some key factors and components of your residential plumbing system. Additionally, you want to avoid costly plumbing services, repairs, and plumbing emergencies in the long run.
Although our home plumbing inspection list will help you care for your system, we recommend you hire a plumber when you feel something is incorrect.
Here are six essential things to do when you want to do your home plumbing inspection. This inspection checklist can also be practical for commercial plumbing systems, and it will save time and money on your facility’s repairs and maintenance in the long run.
Home Plumbing Inspection with Drains
Never wait until your home’s drains are entirely clogged before taking action. Cleaning your drains is a part of your home plumbing inspection and cleaning checklist.
Ensure checking the drains of your sinks, showers, and bathtubs. If you see that water drains slower than always through the pipes, your drains are clog forming.
Schedule a drain inspection to remove the buildup in your drainpipes. The clogs will get worse if you ignore them.
Professional plumbers utilize video cameras for your home plumbing inspection and investigate clogs deep inside the pipes. Currently, some companies use trenchless drain repair technology to unclog the sewers and drains. With this equipment digging under the flooring or the yard is not required.
Moreover, you should never treat your home’s drains as a trashcan, so you should avoid throwing food scraps into the drains.
Clean Your Water Heater
Most residential water heaters and boiler room systems are set to heat the water up to 40 degrees of centigrade. Sediment collects in the heating system over time; thus, make sure to drain it at least twice a year. With this, you can extend the lifespan of your heater and improve its functionality.
When you clean your water heater for a home plumbing inspection, you will reduce the chance of having to file a house insurance claim if any damages happen.
You may also have to replace the anode rod if it is well past its useful life. Additionally, remember to inspect the temperature and pressure of the relief valve.
You should ensure that the relief valve is firmly sat where your plumber placed it. If you inspect shifted placement or a leak, contact a professional plumbing service provider to repair it.
Find and Clean All Faucet Aerators for Home Plumbing Inspection
For the best home plumbing inspection, you should thoroughly clean your faucet aerators once in a year or two. The mineral buildup will get complicated, and removing it won’t be easy if you ignore it.
Over time, calcium built up in your home plumbing system will reduce the water pressure and cause erratic sprays coming out of the faucets. Thus, cleaning all faucet aerators is among the home plumbing inspection checklist.
Inspect for Corrosion in All Above-Ground Pipes
Another essential item in your home plumbing inspection checklist is to check all above-ground pipes, primary water pipes, and other plumbing fixtures in your home for corrosion at least once a year.
This stage of inspection is especially crucial after rainy seasons. If you see bluish or greenish deposits on the pipes, you may have leakage on your line. For more safety, do not go for quick-fix solutions to get rid of the corrosion or rust. Instead, call a professional local plumber.
You do not want to deal with burst pipes, slab leaks, or other plumbing emergencies that can cause considerable damage.
It would help if you also watched for signs of mold around your plumbing pipes. Look in hidden areas such as the basement, crawl spaces, etc. If you find mold, your system may have leakage issues.
Home Plumbing Inspection on the Out Gutters
Many people think cleaning out gutters should not be on the home plumbing inspection checklist. However, you need to check whether your home’s gutters correctly collect and drain wastewater.
If you see clogs in your gutters, hire a professional plumber to unclog them.
Clogged gutters can cause extra pressure on your sump pump and cause roofing damage. Thus, clean your gutters seasonally, primarily if your home is located in an area that experiences severe rains.
Clean all Showerheads
If you want to prevent hard water and mineral buildup in your bathtubs, it is essential to clean your showerheads. You can utilize a professional-grade shower cleaner for the best results. However, a quick-wipe can also be helpful.
For home plumbing inspection on the shower, turn it on to test if the water flows as usual from the head. Sometimes the flow is restricted, or the buildup on the head is severed. In such cases, you will have to detach the shower head and clean it thoroughly.
If your shower head is made from chrome, stainless steel, or other galvanized metal materials, you can clean its surface by rinsing water with vinegar. We recommend using a plastic bag, a rubber band, and vinegar while the head is attached to the arm for deep rinsing.
O Plus Plumbing Company hopes this home inspection checklist helps you out. Remember, you should never skip the annual inspections and cleanings.
