Just like taking care of your body is important, caring for your plumbing is also vital. That means regularly monitoring its health and functioning, and you can’t do that without periodic plumbing inspections by a residential plumber. These inspections take a hard look at the state of your plumbing to detect hidden issues before they cause major problems in your home. This is why getting a plumbing inspection is so important.
But before you schedule an inspection, it’s worth knowing what’s involved. After all, you should know what your plumber in New Orleans will be looking for while checking sinks, toilets, pipes, tubs, and other plumbing fixtures. This detailed guide explains what a plumber for homes does during regular inspections, plus the types of issues this professional can identify and correct.
The Importance of Plumbing Inspections
Every time you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet, you count on consistent streams of water to flow. That water supplies your household’s basic needs plus helps maintain your home’s comfort and cleanliness. But what happens when the water stops flowing? Your lives practically come to a screeching halt. It doesn’t matter whether the problem is with one of your sinks, a toilet, a water heater, a single pipe, multiple pipes, or even your main sewer line. Things can get messy pretty fast.
Some plumbing systems problems have obvious causes. Maybe your toddler loves to flush foreign objects down the toilet. Perhaps you accidentally poured something not-so-nice down a kitchen sink drain. But other plumbing issues have more insidious origins; pipes can slowly deteriorate or corrode, connectors may come loose, and all that hair going down your shower drain could collect into a huge pipe-clogging mass.
Unexpected plumbing problems have a bad habit of draining your wallet. That’s why it’s wise to get a yearly plumbing inspection from an experienced plumber for homes. These thorough check-ups can detect these and other issues sooner rather than later — and potentially save you money from preventing expensive repairs down the road.
What’s Included in a Home Plumbing Inspection
An annual plumbing inspection inspects areas in which water flows inside your home: pipes, sewer lines, toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, and your water heater. A plumber for homes can also check yard faucets and supply lines to appliances such as your washing machine and dishwasher.
You now have a general idea of what gets checked during a routine plumbing inspection. But these check-ups are quite detailed. Plumbers check functionality and look for key indicators of major issues:
- Bathtubs: leaking faucets, drains, and showerheads
- Sinks: faucet and drain leaks, as well as underneath sinks and inside cabinets
- Faucets: worn washers and faulty cartridges
- Water supply lines: hidden pipe leaks and water damage
- Pipes: Leaks, clogs, rust, and signs of corrosion
Your professional plumber also performs additional checks on your toilets and water heater. Toilets are evaluated for issues such as cracks, leaks, and fittings that have come loose. A reputable plumber will also check the filler mechanism as well as the flapper, also known as the flush valve seal. Problems with this part can cause flushing difficulties or a continuously running toilet. Water heater inspections include checking for proper temperature plus their pressure relief valves and pipes. Water heaters may also be flushed during a regular plumbing inspection.
During your inspection, there’s one other vital thing that your plumbing company will evaluate: water pressure levels. A qualified plumber for homes uses a pressure gauge to measure throughout your home. Maintaining proper pressure levels is important. Too low, and you don’t get proper water flow. And when it’s too high, the excessive pressure can lead to leaks or pipe damage.
Sewer Line Inspections
Your home plumbing system is important, but you shouldn’t overlook the sewer lines. Potential issues can include invading tree roots. Although they grow slowly, they can gradually cause damage when they tunnel into small openings or weak spots in the lines. And as roots are wont to do, they grow larger and branch out. One tree’s root system can cause leaks, pipe separation, blockages, and even total sewer line collapse.
The company you choose for a professional plumbing inspection can also check your sewer lines. Plumbing technicians use a sophisticated video camera that’s maneuvered into the sewer line via the cleanout. This is known as a sewer scope inspection. Besides tree root damage, it can help identify other sewer issues: broken or collapsed pipes, leaking joints, pipe corrosion, rust, and misaligned pipes.
Regular Plumbing Maintenance Strategy
After your whole house plumbing inspection is complete, you may want to discuss a routine maintenance strategy with your provider. A residential maintenance plan typically includes an annual inspection. You could also benefit from discounted rates plus weekend service.
A licensed plumber may offer additional services that help keep your water flow systems in the best possible condition. Preventative services may be useful if you have frequent blockages or backed-up drains. Root intrusion treatments can also kill roots and prevent them from growing back for up to one year. With these proactive measures, you can enjoy added peace of mind.
How To Choose a Plumbing Inspection Company
When selecting a provider for basic plumbing maintenance and repairs, there are a few important things to consider. First, you’ll want to choose a licensed plumber. This should be easy — Louisiana already requires plumbing contractors to be licensed. But licensing attests to a technician’s knowledge, competency, and quality of service.
Next, you’ll want to review potential providers’ rates and payment policies. Information about both should be clear and easy to understand. Each provider’s pricing structure, whether hourly or by flat rates, should be apparent. Also, remember that professional plumbers do not ask for payment upfront before performing work. You can request an estimate before services. Keep in mind that there may be some differences between your quote and the final cost depending on the nature of the job. Don’t forget to check if your provider has a payment plan.
Besides pricing and licensing, you should inquire about a few other key details when hiring a plumber in New Orleans. Review any warranties that these professionals offer on their work. Warranty information should include the length of coverage and specifics on what items are covered. Moreover, you’ll want to pick a plumber whom you can trust. After all, building a trustworthy relationship is vital — you’ll always have professionals you can count on to keep your home plumbing in good shape and make repairs when unexpected problems pop up.
Your Professional Plumbing Company in New Orleans
Rooter Man is Southern Louisiana’s top choice for professional plumbing services. We’ve been New Orleans’ expert plumbers for over 40 years, delivering complete plumbing services to commercial and residential clients in NOLA and surrounding communities. Our technicians are knowledgeable, friendly, and deliver high-quality results for your complete satisfaction. To schedule an annual plumbing check-up or get a quote for plumbing services, just use our fast and convenient online form. You can also call us at (504) 464-0145.
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