A plumbing inspection is a comprehensive process for determining the state of the plumbing system’s most crucial aspects in a building. A safety inspection is crucial to reduce the possibility of pipe corrosion, clogs, leaks, and burst tubes that could result in floods and property damage. During a plumbing safety inspection, ensure that all the crucial areas of the plumbing system are covered. This should include drains, water heaters, pipes, and valves. You’ll examine these parts for drainage issues, corrosion, leaks, and blockages.
A licensed plumber should handle the plumbing inspection process to get the best results. If you need help finding an experienced and licensed plumber for a safety inspection, you can check waterworkxplumbing.com.au.
However, if you feel confident about doing it on your own, here is how to perform a plumbing safety inspection.
1. Switch Off The Main Water Supply
A home’s water shutoff valve is a crucial safety device. All you have to do to fix a leak or flood in your home is to stop the water flow. In older homes, you’ll have to look for a gate valve, which raises and lowers a gate to prevent or recommence water flow. If the valve doesn’t switch off the water flow, it could be damaged and need replacement.
It is essential to turn off the main water supply before beginning the plumbing examination in order to thoroughly assess the system. Make sure to visually check for defects and damage on the main water supply shutdown valve. Additionally, make sure the water metre keeps reading even after the valve is shut. This will show you whether there are any water leaks on the property.
2. Check If The Plumbing System Is Watertight
At this stage, you’ll be checking whether there are leaks in the plumbing system. To verify whether plumbing systems are tightly sealed, fill the complete bilge system with water until the middle of the trip refuse and spillage drain of every tub in the premise.
Additionally, you can use hydrostatic tests typically carried out outside the home. You can carry out the tests by getting into the ‘cleanouts’ of the house. These cleanouts resemble a pipe sticking up from the ground and are directly next to the house. The majority of homes constructed after 1970 have them.
During the check-up, a test ball is inserted into the pipe, the system is put under pressure, and the water level is then measured to determine how much it has dropped. The larger the leak, the more water drops are present. You can conclude there’s no leak if it does not fall.
3. Check Water Piping Pressure
Ensure that you also check the water pressure in a premise. You’ll need a hose bib for this task. After turning on the water and attaching a pressure gauge to the hose bib, you can measure the water piping pressure. The ideal range for water pressure is 40 to 60 PSI. Anything beyond 75 can cause serious issues.
4. Inspect Sewer And Drainage Lines
Examine the sewage disposal system, sewerage systems, and lines coming from the house to the curb link to determine whether there’s any pipe injury, weathering, or notable blockage.
You can start by examining the cleanout visually, then turn on the water to the premise’s faucets. This should enable you to see the direction of the water’s movement. Afterward, you can send a camera through the main sewer line to look for buildup or pipe cracks.
5. Assess Fixtures, Supply Lines, And Drains
Every fixture in a premise needs a valve to control the water supply. Ensure that you check for any signs of water destruction on the building’s inner and outer surfaces.
You can also check if the fixtures, such as faucets, toilets, sinks, and tubs, are correctly installed throughout the house. Some of these areas can be easily overlooked during a plumbing safety inspection. You can use a checklist to ensure that all these areas have been assessed during the examination.
6. Check The Plumbing Insulation
To ascertain the safety of a plumbing system in a premise, you should also check if the plumbing pipes are insulated. This is because the temperature can vary between the inside and exterior of a home, significantly affecting the plumbing system. For example, uninsulated pipes outside a home can freeze and burst during winter.
There are many ways to insulate the plumbing system, as long as no heat gets lost. In addition, the insulation will ensure that heated water maintains its warmth throughout its passage from the water heater to the faucet. It also helps reduce energy consumption in a home.
7. Inspect The Water Heating System
Another crucial area to check for plumbing safety is the water heater. Ensure that you perform a visual inspection to ascertain that there are no leaks and that the seismic safety straps are in good working condition. Additionally, check the temperature settings and adjust them according to your needs. Most people prefer about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should also examine any electrical or gas components. This is to ensure that everything is in place and in good condition. You must also check for standing water, stripped wiring, or mineral buildup from hard water.
8. Test Quality Of Tap Water
The final step in the plumbing safety inspection is to test the quality of the tap water. This ensures that the water in the faucets is safe and there’s no seepage in the plumbing system. You can use various tests to check for chlorine and hard water levels. If the chlorine level is low, it’s considered safe for use.
Conclusion
Plumbing safety inspections are crucial to identify any issues and have them resolved before they become catastrophic. The assessment should consider the entire plumbing system throughout a house. Further, the final report should reflect the state of the plumbing system and changes or updates that need to be made.
