What Is Included In A Plumbing Inspection
When purchasing a new home, it is always wise to have a thorough inspection done before closing the deal. Home Inspectors, like the ones from Curtis Home Inspections, play a vital role in evaluating the condition of various elements and systems within the property, including plumbing.
Plumbing items are among the crucial components that home inspectors pay close attention to during their assessment. Let’s delve deeper into what specifically these professionals look for when inspecting plumbing systems.
1. Overall System Functionality: The first thing home inspectors examine is whether all plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, showers, toilets, and drains are functioning properly. They check if there are any leaks or signs of water damage around these fixtures.
2. Water Supply Lines: Inspectors carefully evaluate both hot and cold-water supply lines throughout the house. They look out for potential issues like leaks, worn-out pipes or connectors, corrosion, low water pressure levels in certain areas of the property caused by faulty valves or clogs.
3. Piping: Plumbers mainly use three types of piping – copper pipes (most common), PVC/CPVC pipes (used for drain-waste-vent), and PEX tubing (flexible plastic). Inspectors assess each type to ensure they meet current building codes and standards without any visible damages like cracks or loose connections.
4. Drainage Systems: An essential aspect of any plumbing system is proper drainage flow away from your home’s foundations to prevent flooding or structural damage due to excess moisture buildup around the premises’ perimeter walls or basement floors. Inspectors check if drains function correctly by testing them using either water flow tests or specialized cameras for larger sewer lines.
5.Venting System: Proper ventilation plays an important role in maintaining stable water flow through drainpipes while preventing foul odors from entering living spaces within your house structure.Typical venting issues include obstructions leading to slow drainage rates in sinks/showers/toilets along with unwanted gurgling sounds coming from drains indicating improper venting setups.
6. Water Heater: Home inspectors evaluate the age, condition, and overall safety of water heaters. They check for any leaks or signs of corrosion in the unit itself or its connections, ensuring they meet local code requirements. Additionally, they verify that temperature pressure relief valves are installed correctly to prevent potential dangers like tank explosions due to excessive pressure buildup.
7. Sewage system: If your property is connected to a municipal sewer line rather than having an on-site septic system, home inspectors also inspect the entire sewage system from drain pipes leading from sinks/tubs/toilets to the main connection point outside your property line. Common issues include clogged drains caused by debris accumulation or tree root intrusion into sewer lines, which can lead to expensive repairs if not addressed promptly.
8.Water Quality Testing: While not necessarily part of standard inspections performed by most home inspectors unless specifically requested by buyers, some homeowners may opt for additional water quality tests. They assess parameters such as hardness (mineral content), pH levels (acidity/alkalinity balance), bacteria/fungi/mold presence in well-water supplies. Additional testing might be required based on specific location-related concerns like radon gas infiltration through groundwater sources in certain areas known for high concentrations of this radioactive element.
In conclusion, plumbing items form a significant component inspected during a routine home inspection. Evaluating functionality and condition helps identify potential issues that require immediate attention or future maintenance costs. This information empowers prospective homeowners with knowledge about the plumbing system’s health before making one of life’s biggest investments – their new home!