Whether you’re buying a new property, already settled in a family home, or planning some maintenance work in your kitchen or bathroom, our guide is here to help. It offers a straightforward checklist covering all your home plumbing essentials. Keeping track of the areas you’ve checked is wise and ensures you catch potential issues early, as it’s always better to prevent problems than fix them later.
Plumbing plays a crucial role in any home. It’s your main source of water supply, heats your gas appliances, ensures proper waste disposal, and provides clean water for cooking and cleaning. When plumbing problems arise, you might face leaks, messy blockages, and a potentially hazardous living space.
How Do You Inspect Plumbing In A House?
Your plumbing system might have parts nearing the end of their lifespan. Take, for instance, a neglected septic system that hasn’t been pumped on schedule. This oversight could lead to a major system failure, leaving you to deal with the headache if you own the house.
To devise a household plumbing inspection checklist for your property, it is best to focus on one room at a time. Start with one area and create a DIY plumbing maintenance checklist that lists all the different parts and fixtures. For instance, your bathroom will have bath taps, sink taps, a shower, and all the drains.
Note these down on paper and with a pass or fail option. Have some guidelines to determine what is a pass or fail. Below are some tips and things you need to test and look for.
Water Quality
Turn on the tap and let the water run for a few seconds. Your water supply should be clear, colourless and odourless. If you notice a strange colour, sediment or debris coming out of the faucets or a strong smell being omitted, this could indicate a problem with the pipes or your city’s main water supply. Or you could be looking at a broken sewer pipe underneath the house.
The water pressure should be easily altered and not too weak or overly intense. Water pressure needs to have an even and steady flow. If the property has older pipes, water flow may come out in trickles. Broken pipes are a leading cause of weak water pressure. Leaks in the pipeline will cause the water supply to alter in pressure and temperature.
Drainage System
Drains should remain clear of obstructions like hair, food, and greasy substances that can clog pipes. To check your drains, simply run the tap and see how swiftly the water disappears down the sink. If the water drains quickly without any gurgling noises, your drains are in good shape. Be sure to check all the sinks around your home.
Your toilet can also suffer from a clogged drain. Flush the water and see if it backs up or makes a gurgling sound. Rising water is also a sign of blockage. A clogged pipe may start deep inside the line from tree root intrusions.
A telltale sign of an issue with the drains and pipework is puddles of water in your yard. This indicates a burst pipe or problem with the sewer line. Keep your drain system healthy through regular clearing by a licensed drain cleaner. They can use a high-pressure jet blaster to remove clogs in the lines and a CCTV camera to inspect the drain pipe’s condition further.
Toilets
Check the toilet for a leak or faulty pipes and valves. Water can leak out onto the floor or run into the bowl. You should also ensure that the flush buttons are secure and working efficiently. Test it by pressing the flush button and watch how long it takes for water to fill up the tank and bowl. Is the flush valve on the toilet loose?
Conduct a visual check for a wobbly toilet seat and cracked tank or bowl. If there is a strong smell coming from the drain, check for issues with the main sewer lines even after thoroughly cleaning them.
Sink and Vanities/Cabinet
Look inside your cabinetry for mould, water damage, or puddles. Stainless steel flexible hoses that connect to the tap can fray and damage. You should replace the Flexi hose every five years. Leaving this leak in the sink can damage the foundation of your washroom and warp the benchtops. As well as create a larger-than-average utility bill.
Search around the rim of the sink for gaps. Moisture will seep through the open spaces and damage the surrounding cabinets and fixtures.
Bathroom/Shower
Shower fixtures such as faucets and shower heads should provide water pressure that is steady and even. The temperature should be safe to use and not cause scalds and burns. Inspect walls and floor surfaces for present water, leaks or mould. Ensure the floor drain is flowing efficiently. A smelly drain could be a sign of a blockage.
Inspecting the tiling is essential to find loose tiles and hidden moisture. The waterproofing may need to be replaced or done to stop leaks from entering the walls’ foundation and surfaces.
Laundry
The laundry is another wet room that you should watch for issues. Search for leaks under the sink or from the faucets. Signs of leaky walls and floors could be due to burst pipes or faulty waterproofing. Search for leaks around the laundry tub.
The washing machine could have a faulty pipe connection or a hose, causing a leak. Check all taps and fixtures for faults, such as leaking washers and valves. Washing machine hoses can be easily replaced.
Water Heater
Your hot water system is essential to your home’s plumbing. It should deliver heated water without sediment or debris. Watch out for discoloured or bad-tasting water, as these can signal a rusty tank. Regular checks will let you know when it was installed. If it’s over ten years old, it’s wise to consider a replacement.
It is a good idea to replace the tempering valve and pressure limiting valve every five years, as this helps protect your household from burns and extends the lifespan of the hot water unit. The team’s regular service can also help.
Where you position it, the heater plays a big part in providing adequate hot water. If installed too far from the bathroom, it could take a long time for the heat to travel through the pipes and reach the faucets and showerhead, leaving you with a cold water inlet pipe.
Professional Property Inspection
Some areas of your property might be unfamiliar or hard to inspect on your own. That’s where a professional team comes in, able to conduct a thorough search for any lurking plumbing issues.
A fully licensed and experienced plumber will be able to identify significant hazards, such as gas leaks and severe blockages, early on. This knowledge can save you money and time and minimise extensive repair work. As well as keep you and your family safe.
Proper on-site testing can reveal plumbing faults you might overlook. A qualified technician can advise on quick fixes, replacements, or urgent repairs needed. Regular inspections every 6-12 months are beneficial, saving you both time and money in the long run.
A leaking toilet, for instance, may seem like a minor issue, but it can become a bigger problem for you if you don’t pick up on it sooner rather than later.
Everything from your washing machine, sewer drain system, toilet, shower faucet, and kitchen sink must be properly inspected before purchasing a property and throughout your time there. Also, clean the kitchen sink drain regularly to avoid the buildup that would prevent water from flowing. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they may damage your pipes.
Good luck with your plumbing inspection checklist, and remember, if there is something you are unsure about, it’s best to contact a professional plumber.
