Before we talk about how often you need to have your plumbing inspected by a professional, let’s talk a bit about why it’s a good idea. AHWA can take care of all of your plumbing needs, but routine inspection will pay for itself by preventing costly repairs down the road. Let’s discuss it a bit further.
Why Should You Have a Plumbing Inspection Done?
There are a variety of situations that might dictate a need to have your plumbing inspected. If you live in a home that you have built and are familiar with the plumbing, you might expect the systems to be in good order for years to come. Still, after a set amount of time, you’ll eventually want to have your plumbing inspected to fix and prevent any issues.
Unattended plumbing issues can lead to further damage; leaks can do damage to floors, walls, or ceilings, clogs can get worse, backing up pipes and sometimes, tree roots can grow into plumbing lines to cause issues. The earlier you know about these or other potentially costly problems, the better. What may be a small repair today could be significantly more involved if allowed to fester.
How Often Should You Have Your Plumbing Inspected?
One of the most common questions we get asked by homeowners is how often they should contact us to have a plumbing inspection. Unfortunately, many put off this simple checkup, not requesting regular inspections of plumbing at all. The answer to how often a plumbing inspection should be done will vary from one person to the next.
While there is no way to know when some plumbing problems might occur, most can be prevented by having a plumbing inspection at least every two years. If you prefer a more extensive inspection performed by a professional, you should have it done by a reputable plumbing company with qualified plumbing experts.
In certain situations, you might even want to schedule inspections even more often. Homes that have settled a great deal, experienced damage from other sources, or are showing signs of plumbing damage like low water pressure, sluggish drains, discoloration or particles in the water, or unfamiliar noises like the sound of running water or loud creaks may need to be inspected sooner.
If you have moved into a home and are not familiar with the plumbing system or issues that have been present in the past, it is always a good idea to have a plumbing inspection fairly often for the first few years. This should be the case until you are comfortable that you won’t run into any unexpected plumbing nightmares left discovered during pre-purchase inspections.
There could very well be conditions present that you were not made aware of and that weren’t immediately visible to an inspector doing a rough plumbing inspection for sale purposes. If homeowners aren’t available to provide a proper history or simply don’t provide a full history beyond what is required of them, waiting two years to get another plumbing inspection from a company you can trust can lead to disaster.
In a case such as new home ownership, it is recommended that you have your plumbing inspection done at your earliest convenience and then have another one within the year. If no signs of trouble are noted, perhaps you can drop the frequency to every two years.
Other Reasons to Get Your Plumbing Inspected Right Away
There are many reasons for getting your plumbing inspected, since any of these potential scenarios might need quick attention to stop them from growing into a bigger problem.
There goes the neighborhood – If you find that sewer lines or drains are backing up in other areas of your neighborhood but you haven’t had an issue, it doesn’t mean you won’t. It is far better to call for a pre-emptive plumbing inspection to address the problem before it wrecks your home.
The roots of all plumbing evil – If you spot roots pushing up through your walkway, home foundation, or trees expanding into areas where you have water lines, this is a potential issue for your pipes. Roots are notorious for growing into the water supply and sewer lines outside the home or beneath homes. They might even push them out of place, causing connections to break and leak. It is best to get a handle on the situation before it does the damage.
Nip it in the bud – One obvious case when a plumbing inspection might be in order is when you are having an issue and must have a plumber come out anyway. It’s always a good idea to have him look for signs of other potential trouble rather than just addressing the problem at hand. Ask him about getting a full plumbing inspection while he is there or schedule one for another time when he is available, as he may not be prepared to do a full inspection if he has just come out for a simple service call.
Here’s your sign – If you’ve had problems and foregone a complete plumbing inspection, it might be a good idea to reconsider and get one done to stay ahead of any future problems. Signs that might appear before you notice the actual plumbing issue are yellowed or peeled plaster or paint on the walls. Abnormally high water bills. Water spots on the ceilings or around the molding. Leaks beneath your sinks or around your toilet. Hissing sounds could be water escaping from a pipe or other such anomalies.
Catastrophe avoidance – You should address any problems such as these immediately or they will only grow worse and a full inspection can let you know in advance what needs to be mended before it grows worse, allowing you to prioritize any necessary repairs if you can’t have them all done at once. It is always better to see what is coming rather than finding yourself run down by it. Don’t let plumbing inspection costs deter you from preventative maintenance, as it could get a lot more expensive to ignore potential plumbing problems for too long.
Whatever your plumbing needs may be, American Home Water and Air has you covered. Our plumbing experts possess the knowledge, experience, and skills to keep your plumbing in top shape for years to come. Give us a call to schedule your next plumbing inspection and get the peace of mind you deserve.
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