5 Reasons Why You Should Get a Plumbing Inspection When Buying a House in California
A home can’t run smoothly if its plumbing fixtures are out of wreck. When you are planning to buy a home in California, you must inspect specific systems. To make sure they are in proper physical and working condition.
When it comes to plumbing inspections, the first thing to remember is – you need it. There should not be a second thought about that. We’ll explain sooner why.
Outdated fixtures or plumbing problems occurring every now and then can disturb your routine life. And you should not have to waste your time over minor to major plumbing fixes. That’s why Elite Commercial Inspection is here to guide you through the ins and outs of plumbing inspections.
In this blog, we will explain all those reasons that make plumbing inspection worth your time and investment. We will also touch upon the factors that decide how long does a plumbing inspection take. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Reasons Why You Should Get A Plumbing Inspection
A plumbing inspection is worth considering. Due to the range of benefits it brings. From preventing water damage to saving you a fortune in the long run. There are various reasons why you should not skip a plumbing inspection. Let’s discuss some of them.
Prevent Water Damage
Getting a proper plumbing inspection can help you prevent severe problems. Like water damage in your new home. Your chosen plumbing inspector will thoroughly check all your plumbing fixtures. Such as the plumbing lines, fittings, fixtures, and drainage systems. For any signs of leaks or moisture.
The inspectors will also assess your plumbing elements, even for small leaks that usually go unnoticed. They’ll look for rotted wooden structures, warp floors, and mold growth. Any type of extensive damage. When you catch minor leaks beforehand, you can prevent huge problems.
Your plumbing inspectors will also look in crawl spaces, basements, attics, and other areas to look for any water stains, rust marks, or dampness. That indicates water leaks or damage. If you fix these leaks in time, you can prevent expensive repairs. And stop any water damage if there is any water pooling in your home.
Early Leak Detection
Your inspector must have proper training, tools, and expertise. to find plumbing leaks that may be hidden from your sight. These plumbing leaks could exist in walls, floors, or ceilings. The inspectors will thoroughly check all plumbing fixtures and connections. Including all water supply lines, drain pipes, joints, and valves.
They will use cutting-edge technology like cameras to examine all plumbing pipes for leaks and structural wear and tear. They examine the issues that you could never notice yourself until serious water damage is done.
You can also examine slow drips, undermined structures, and rotted wooden elements going without a check for a long time. Plumbing inspections help you there by pinpointing these leak issues. Allowing you to address them before the problems get worse.
Check For Corrosion And Rust
During a plumbing inspection, the inspectors will check all pipes, joints, valves, and fittings for visible signs of damage. Including corrosion, pitting, mineral build-up, or rust.
If you leave the plumbing systems corroded, inferring it isn’t a big deal. You might be wrong there. Because these corroded plumbing systems and fixtures are more prone to leaks. And even bursting under higher pressure.
The inspectors will identify areas that are damaged or need replacement – before they fail. If the pipes have corrosion on some of the sections or fittings, you should act proactively. And swap them out to avoid any major disasters later.
If the inspectors notice rust, it’s also a clear sign that water has been escaping somewhere. And you need to take action instantly.
Evaluate Water Pressure
As part of a plumbing inspection, the inspectors also test the water pressure at all fixtures. To make sure it falls within optimal ranges.
If they notice low pressure at outlets, it signals that the piping is too narrow. Or that sections are clogged and need to be flushed or replaced. It also shows any issues with water supply lines or the home’s main line coming from the street.
On the other hand, if the water pressure on pipes and fixtures is high, the chances of leaks over time will increase. That’s why the inspectors will verify that water pressure is regulated and brought to safer levels.
Save Money in The Long Run
Plumbing inspections might need an upfront investment. That could be minor or hefty based on your project’s scope. But it can save you a fortune in the long run from spending on repetitive and expensive repairs and replacements.
When you catch those leaky pipes and corroded patches before they burst or regulate the pressure problems through inspections. That’s where they save you from hefty payoffs. If you compare, the standard cost for plumbing inspection is way less than the cost of emergency plumbing repairs.
Now that we understand the whys of plumbing inspections. Let’s discuss
How Long Does A Plumbing Inspection Take?
Well, it depends. Totally! On the size of your property, the number of plumbing fixtures your inspectors are checking, and the scope of your project. Besides that, the other factors also count, like the condition of your plumbing system and the accessibility you provide. So, let’s discuss these factors in a bit of detail.
Property Size
If your home is larger, like it has multiple bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, etc., it’s obvious and natural for inspectors to take more time to inspect. The inspector will check every pipe, drain, fixture, and appliance on the property in detail. That’s why you can expect 1-2 hours for a larger house than a small apartment.
Number Of Plumbing Fixtures
The inspection time also depends on the number of plumbing fixtures your inspectors are observing. It may include the number of sinks, toilets, tubs, laundry machines, and other fixtures. You can simply say more fixtures means more time for inspections. Which includes testing the flushes, drains, water flow, and leaks.
Scope Of The Inspection
A basic inspection focuses only on identifying current leaks and clogs and identifying immediate repair needs. On the other hand, when you conduct a more comprehensive inspection, it looks into the entire system. That’s why it may take a longer time for inspectors to test the supply lines, drainage, water pressure at all fixtures, water heater function, and more.
Condition Of The Plumbing System
Older homes often have galvanized steel pipes. They usually get corroded and cause restricted water flow. And if there are a lot of leaks or clogs, the inspection process can slow down. And the inspectors have to stop the ongoing process to spot those issues. On the other hand, if your plumbing system is newer copper or PVC and is in good shape, the inspection will be completed more quickly.
The Bottom Line
Before you buy a home in California, we suggest conducting a thorough and professional plumbing inspection. While it does take 1-3 hours, depending on the various factors we just discussed, it’s worth your time and money. It is your chance to get all the needed insights into your property’s plumbing fixture. To avoid hassle and repetitive expenses in the long run. Scroll through our blog section to learn more about different inspections.
