How Often You Should Have A Plumbing Inspection
As long as you take good care of your plumbing, all the pipes, drains, and fixtures should stay in decent condition. Responsible homeowners do not want any problems with their properties’ plumbing because leaks and other issues lead to costly repairs. Contacting a plumber at the first sign of trouble remains a smart move, and so is taking preventive steps. Requesting a plumbing inspection could assist with staying on top of any necessary repairs. Often, the sooner you get to a problem, the less expansive the repairs turn out.
Plumbing Inspections: The “Why’s”
Questions do arise about the frequency of a plumbing inspection. Most homeowners, unfortunately, do not request routine inspections. Any frequency would be better than nothing, but some intervals are better than others. Before figuring out when to have a plumbing inspection done, it is a good idea to know why. A perfect example will become clearer when discussing issues surrounding pipe corrosion. If a home’s pipes show signs of early corrosion, chances indicate a leak is imminent. Discovering such problems can lead to replacing the worn pipes months before the leak occurs. The discovery has many upsides. Once a leak starts, the resultant water could do a great deal of damage. Replacing the pipe before a leak happens helps homeowners avoid such extra expenses.
Choosing a Reliable Plumbing Inspection Duration
As for when you should get plumbing inspections, once every two years is recommended. An annual review might not be necessary as plumbing systems do not degrade as quickly as mechanical ones, such as an HVAC system. Therefore, having a professional check it out every 24 months makes sense. That said, there may be times when requesting an inspection earlier than once every two years becomes a good idea — looking at a few examples of when more frequent inspections are worthwhile. Requesting a plumbing inspection in South Charleston is not difficult. Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides inspection services and more, including repair and installations.
Moving Into a New Home
Someone who only recently bought a new home might find frequent inspections to be advisable, at least during the early years of ownership. Lacking a track record living in the home means there is not a full picture of the plumbing’s condition. Likely, you only go by what the previous owner told you in the lead up to the closing. So, waiting 24 months before requesting a plumbing inspection could be too long. Maybe once a year is more advisable.
Troubles in the Neighborhood
External factors could necessitate calling someone in to check the plumbing more frequently. For example, if sewer lines or drains tend to back up in the neighborhood, problems outside of your home’s control create more preventive maintenance responsibilities. Do you also notice that roots are breaking up sidewalks on your block? Underground roots may be causing chaos in the neighborhood. They might not have disturbed the plumbing when you had the last inspection done, and you do not know how fast those roots are growing. So, you have to keep a closer eye on things. Many factors can cause trouble for your plumbing system. Ultimately, if you are unsure about the intervals between full plumbing inspections, ask your plumber for a recommendation.
Plumbing Fixes and Inspections
When plumbing woes occur and you have called the plumber from Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to fix things, this could be a good time to request a thorough inspection. A plumber is already at your residence. Take the opportunity to ask the pro to check things out. Make the request in advance, though. This way, the plumber prepares for the inspection and does not have to come back on a different day.
Staying on Top of the Plumbing
In the aftermath of either repairs or inspections, stay on top of any issues with the plumbing system. If you notice the signs of leaks such as yellowing or peeling plaster in the walls or ceiling, do not wait several months before asking someone to check things out again. Even though things were fine a few weeks ago, things can go wrong unexpectedly and lead to a new problem.
Since 1950, Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has served local customers for any plumbing needs. We also handle heating, cooling, indoor air quality, and ductwork. If you want any assistance, please call Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in South Charleston today to set up an appointment.
