Whether you are buying a new property, having an established family home, or looking to get some maintenance work done in your kitchen or bathroom, this guide details a simple plumbing list covering all your home plumbing tips. Keeping a list of plumbing areas you are auditing is good. Doing so will prevent significant plumbing problems; prevention is better than a cure.
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Plumbing is an important part of any property. It is the primary source of water supply. It heats your gas appliances, keeps your household hygienic by disposing of human waste through proper drainage and provides clean water for cooking and washing. With plumbing issues, your home will suffer from leaks, messy blockages, and a difficult and possibly hazardous environment.
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How Do You Inspect Plumbing In A House?
There may be components in the plumbing system that are hitting their maximum lifespan soon. For example, it could be a septic system that has not been pumped when it should have been. Such could result in a major plumbing system failure, and you may be the one left with this problem if you take ownership of 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.
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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
A drain should be free from any obstructions or clogs. Items and materials such as hair, food, and fatty liquids can create a blockage in your pipes. One way to check the condition of your drain is to run water from the faucet and see how quickly the water drains down the sink. The drains are clear if there is no gurgling sound, and the water flows fast. Inspect all sinks in 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 showerheads 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 important to the overall plumbing systems at your property. A water heater must provide heated water properly, free from sediment and debris. Keep an eye out for discolouration or foul-tasting water, indicating a rusty water heater tank. Regular plumbing inspections of the tank should determine the installation date. A water heater that is over ten years old should be replaced.
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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
There are some areas of your property that you are unfamiliar with or are concealed and hard to check with the naked eye. This is where a professional team can carry out an extensive search of any plumbing problem.
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.
The proper on-site testing on your plumbing system can pick up faults in your water service that you may not know. And a fully qualified technician may determine what a quick fix is, what you can replace or what needs to be urgently repaired. It is beneficial to check your property regularly every 6-12 months. This will save time and money on maintenance and repair work.
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.
