How To Do Plumbing Inspection By Your Own

How To Do Plumbing Inspection

It is hard to mend the pipes once they erupt severely and require lots of money to fix them. But you can do a regular plumbing inspection in your house from time to time so that the problem may not reach to an extent and cause lots of damage to your house. There is a need to do regular plumbing inspection of key fixtures to spot problems and correctly solve them on time before they become an emergency. 

The major areas where you need to focus on the plumbing inspection checklist are always those rooms where there are heavy installed plumbing fixtures. Also, make sure to check all other plumbing fixtures and appliances around your house. These other plumbing fixtures are hose spigots installed outside the house and water heater in your house basement or any other utility area in your house. 

How To Do Kitchen Plumbing Inspection

The kitchen is one of the major areas in your house where there are lots of plumbing fixtures and appliances are installed. You should check the kitchen fixtures at least twice a year. You may also check in every month, and if you see any problem, you can fix them before they become emergency issues. Here below are the main appliances and fixtures that you need to mend. 

Faucets

A leaky faucet can waste gallons of water in a year. Check all the faucets installed in your kitchen carefully and repair it if needed. Sometimes the faucet gets damaged, and when you open it to use it gets broken, then you need to take the help of a professional plumber. 

Sink Drains

The kitchen sink is the most usable plumbing fixture of your kitchen, and this is also the place where leaking problems commonly arise. Carefully watch the sink strainer area by P-trap sink as water drains out. You need to tighten the P-trap fitting and replace the strainer basket if you notice any leakages or if it is corroded. In case the sink drains slowly, it means that P-trap or branch has become clogged with the kitchen waste. So you need to clean the kitchen sink drainage system once in a month. Use a mild store-bought cleaner to unclog the branch or P-trap system of your kitchen sink. 

Shutoff Valves

Shutoff valves are the plumbing fixture that is used to control the supply of water to the dishwasher, sink faucet, and refrigerator lines. They are used to shut off a complete supply of water to these appliances when you turn off the valve during any plumbing work. The intent to use them is to close the water supply during any work. During the household plumbing inspection, you also need to check the shut-off valves. Close the valves and check whether the water is completely stopped or still running. If you notice a single drop of water through the closed valve, call the professional plumber or replace the valve on your own if you know how to do it correctly.

Dishwasher

For the kitchen plumbing inspection checklist, do not forget to check the dishwasher fixture. In case the dishwasher slowly filled the water, it means that there is a problem with the water supply line. Check the shutoff valve or hose after the dishwasher cycle gets over and inspect the pinching or clog in the hose.  

Refrigerator

The filter of the refrigerator with icemaker and water dispenser should be replaced from time to time. It is recommended by the manufacturers to replace it within every year. It is because the clogged filter will block the water supply to the ice maker or water dispenser. Also, make sure to check the hose, if you notice any wear and tear replace it immediately. 

How To Do Bathroom Plumbing Inspection

Bathrooms are the place where there is the highest usage of water in the house. Inspecting all the plumbing fixtures and appliances correctly in the bathroom is so crucial and preventing household problems. 

Faucets

You need to check all the faucets of your bathroom sink, shower, and shower tub. Time to time inspect these faucets for any leakages and wear. In case any of the faucets are dripping, replace it right away. The plumbing fixtures in the bathroom are hidden, so it is hard to find the damaged water pipes. If you notice the irregular pattern of water supply or weak pressure f as compared to the previous time you use, it means that the aerator is clogged due to calcium buildup. You can clean the aerator manually or remove calcium buildup by soaking the aerator in a vinegar solution. 

Toilets

There are so many fixtures in the toilet, and any of them can be damaged and cause many problems. To inspect the toilet, you need to remove the lid of the tank and watch how the flush is working. If the flush is running instead of shutting off leads to too much water wastage, you need to repair it right away, and if you find it complicated, then ask the help of a professional. 

Drains

Bathroom drains usually get clogged due to hair and soap debris. You need to check the drains and clean them regularly once in every month. You can also use chemical cleaners to unclog the drains. 

Caulk Seals

Repairing caulking is not a type of plumbing solution; however, if the caulk is removed around the showers and tubs, it may cause water to flow behind the walls and even under the bathtub. Regularly check the caulk beads to make sure it won’t damage the walls and underfloor. 

How To Do Bathroom Plumbing Inspection

Other Important Plumbing Solutions

There are also uncommon or less plumbing fixture places in your house that need your time to time attention to repairing them. 

Water Heater

It would help if you separately made a hot water heater inspection checklist as it is a very complicated appliance and need your complete attention to inspect it. First, you need to check leakages in the cold water heater inlet pipe and then check the hot water heater exit pipe. If they have any leakages, repair them at the same moment. Also, check the base of the water heater for any leakages caused due to pressure and temperature relief valve. Also, clean and remove the sediment deposits at the bottom of the water heater annually. In case you have a gas water heater, you need to yearly inspect and clean the burner unit or call a professional service help. 

Branch Valve

Shutoff valves of branches should be inspected regularly as they are crucial for controlling water supply in the different zones in your house. Check branch shut-off valves around your house carefully and repair any leakages immediately. 

Outdoor Hose-Spigots

We may not notice the outdoor faucets that frequently as compared to indoor faucets, but it is important to check them regularly. Check all the outdoor hose-spigots installed in the garden, backyard, and anywhere outside. Repair the leakages and replace the wear faucets for saving water and money as well. 

Washing Machine

Hoses used to supply water for washing machines should be inspected from time to time. You can also check leakages and low-pressure water supply every time you put laundry in the washing cycle. This will ensure the immediate repair and save your money to spend on more serious damages. 

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