Home Plumbing Inspection Tips

Hi, my name’s Steven. I’ve been a plumber for almost 15 years. I entered the plumbing industry after I completed my HSC. I began my plumbing apprenticeship through the Master Plumbers Association and had a wealth of knowledge on all things plumbing. I have built Fixed Today with an expert team of technicians. You can find some home plumbing inspection tips, a pre-purchase plumbing inspection, and a pre-purchase building inspection below for your plumbing safety inspection.

Plumbing systems can be complicated if you live in a multi-million dollar home along the beach or the bush stoking the fire at night. Plumbing issues can pop up everywhere, and no one is exempt. Having a local plumber by your side, like Fixed Today, can make the problems far easier to handle. Check out our household plumbing inspection checklist below for tips from a licensed plumber:

Outside

1. Start with checking your water meter at the front of your property.
2. When no more water is used at night, write down the number on the water meter dial. Return in the morning and recheck the meter; remember to do this before anyone has used any water. If the numbers have jumped significantly, this could indicate a water leak in your home, and you should get it looked at by a licensed Sydney plumber.
3. While you’re still outside, checking for any plumbing problems like water leaks from your garden and hose taps would be good. Walk around your property and watch for any puddles of water that you think should not be there, especially near the septic tank and the sewage system. For drainage inspection, your drains should not overflow; any water you see indicates a blockage. Quickly scan your gutters and look for any rust or damage. It would be best to look for any water trickling where it shouldn’t be and safely use a ladder to look in the gutters for any debris pile up. Clogged gutters can put unnecessary pressure on your sump pump and cause roof damage. Don’t forget to check your stormwater drains and tree roots that might obstruct the water pipes and drain pipes.

Inside

There are several rooms in the house where you can undertake your plumbing system inspection checklist:

Kitchen

1. Check for any leaks in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. Remove all items in the closet and look for any traces of water. Once you have inspected the cabinet, move on to the taps. Turn the tap on and off three times and look for drips from the spout. You can get some tips from my other blog, ‘ How To Change A Tap Washer In 12 Easy Steps. Make sure you’re also looking out for water temperature. Hot should be hot, and cold should be cold. Your hot water systems must be in good working condition.

Bathroom

1. Check your shower taps for leaks by turning them on and off three times, and take note of the water flow. Your faucets and showerhead should not have any water dripping down. Aside from your shower head, Inspecting your shower drain is essential to determine any blockages. Over time, calcium build-up can reduce your home water pressure. You can do this by running the shower for 3-5 minutes and monitoring the water level and speed. If it drains slowly, you might have a blocked drain and need to look it up by a licensed plumber.
2. Now it’s time to look at your toilet suite and find faulty valves. Start by pressing the flush button on the cistern. Check behind and around the toilet for any leaks. If your toilet is leaking, a seal may need replacing, and getting a plumber out will be your best option.
3. To check for a blockage, you can get some toilet paper, place it in the pan and flush it. If the toilet paper does not wash and the water rises again, you can read our blog ‘ How To Fix A Toilet That Won’t Flush’ for reasons and tips on fixing a toilet that won’t flush. A professional and licensed plumber can diagnose the issue with any blocked toilet using a camera inspection and high-pressure jet blasting.
4. To inspect the vanity taps for leaks and issues, repeat the same steps as the kitchen taps. If you have a different tap style in your basin, such as a basin flick mixer, turn the tap on and off three times and look for drips. It would be best to look for any cuts or rust on the pipes in the flexible connection.

Laundry

Last but not least, the home plumbing inspection tip is the laundry.

1. The laundry is another essential place to check for plumbing issues. You should thoroughly inspect the laundry sink cupboard for any faults in the pipework, such as leaks. Make sure you check the taps by using the same method of turning them on and off three times. If the water pressure is good, there are no drips, and the temperature is to your liking, your taps are working fine.
2. Your hot water system is an essential appliance that needs to be checked regularly. It can be in any room of your house or outside. Check your water heater; it would be best to look out for any faults wherever it is in your home.
3. Look for water pooling at the base of your system, trickling down the tank or spraying out. If any of these occur, you can turn off your water supply and contact a licensed plumber specialising in hot water system repairs. If a leak is coming from the pressure relief valve, simply replacing the valve or giving it a good clean should do the trick. Check your water temperature and water heaters’ flow and supply, as these are sourced from your tank. An issue with these usually means a problem with your hot water system. It only takes minutes to test water pressure with a pressure gauge if done by professionals.

Plumbing System Inspection Checklist For Your Home

Doing a home plumbing inspection is easy if you know what to look for in your plumbing fixtures. I hope these tips have helped you and that you remember them. If you need help with any plumbing issue or inspection, including your sewer line, you can contact Fixed Today in Sydney for a friendly and reliable licensed plumber.