Plumbing Inspection – San Diego, CA

Homeowners can request a plumbing inspection at any time, but it is especially prudent to arrange inspections on an annual basis and when purchasing a new home.

Many homeowners schedule an annual plumbing inspection to keep up with preventive maintenance and ensure that the home’s plumbing is in good working order. A full inspection can help to pinpoint potential plumbing problems that can save money, time, and damage. Annual inspections are also a great way to keep track of appliances like water heaters, consider scheduling an inspection along with an annual flush.  

When purchasing a new home, there is always a home inspector that will perform a building inspection and deliver a report. However, the report may not provide new buyers with costs associated with repairs and can miss some potential issues.

it is always a good idea to schedule an independent plumbing inspection outside of the homeowners’ inspection. Many plumbers will review the full inspection and can make recommendations on the cost of potential repairs giving new home buyers a full picture of what they are getting into with the home.

Plumbing Inspections

A full plumbing inspection with one of Bill Howe’s expert technicians will typically last about one hour and will be a thorough overview of all visual plumbing. Customers purchasing a new home or experiencing frequent sewer backups may want to invest in an additional pipeline camera inspection to have a complete understanding of the condition of the homes plumbing and main drain line.

Visual Inspection of Plumbing Fixtures

A plumber will check for signs of leaks, loose faucets, scale buildup on showerheads, water shutoffs and water supply lines. Bill Howe recommends replacing old water shut off valves under sinks and behind toilets every 5-7 years. Burst water shutoffs are one of the leading causes of home flooding.

Signs of corrosion or scale buildup on fixtures may indicate past leaks and high pressure. This can lead plumbers to investigate if there is a larger problem needing attention.

Plumbers will also inspect the toilets in the home. Running toilets are a sign of a leaking seal inside of the toilet and if left unchecked, can waste thousands of gallons of water per day.

If homeowners encounter a running toilet and want to investigate on their own, they can check for a leak by using a special dye tablet. Dye tablets can be purchased at any home store, simply put the dye tablet in the tank and wait. If the bowl begins to absorb the dye color, there’s a leak.

Drains

Without a plumbing camera inspection, most drain issues can only be detected once they begin to back up. But, during routing plumbing inspections, a full test of all drains will be performed. Plumbers can attempt to recreate problems to determine if something might be happening behind the walls or in the ground.

Homes with crawl spaces will allow plumbers to view the drain lines under the house to search for possible leaks or breaks, as well.

Water Pressure

Homeowners should check water pressure coming into their home on a routine basis. Water pressure should be about 55 to 60 PSI; some city water pressure can come in at over 100 PSI.

The best way to deal with high city water pressure according to the city of San Diego public utilities site is by installing a pressure reducing valve (PRV). A PRV will regulate water pressure as it comes into the home. According to San Diego public utilities, a PRV can also help to conserve water as fixtures in the home will use less water when the pressure is at a lower and more manageable PSI.

High water pressure also damages plumbing. The water coming into the home puts excess pressure on faucet seal, water shut off valves and supply lines, and toilets. High water pressure leads to leaks, running toilets and other plumbing problems that will continue to happen without proper pressure reduction.

High water pressure also leads to thermal expansion in water heaters which can lead to possible water damage if the water heater leaks or burst.

Water Heaters

Checking the condition, age, and water lines to the water heater can help plumbers understand many things, including water pressure and signs of leaks. If the water heater has been maintained with annual flush service, it can likely last beyond its standard warranty.

Plumbers will also check all exterior water supply lines and hose bibbs, pressure regulator valves, and visually inspect the ground and foundation for signs of past or present leaks. If an underground leak is suspected, they may recommend special inspections such as slab leak location, gas leak detection or a sewer camera inspection.

Bill Howe Plumbers are fully trained and have expertise in all areas of plumbing service & repair and drain cleaning including:

• Plumbing Installations and Repairs
• Conventional and Tankless Water Heaters
• Gas Lines
• Drain Cleaning and Pipe Repair
• Sewer Lining
• Sewer Camera Inspections
• Slab Leak Location and Repair
• Hydro-Jetting
• Water Filtration Systems
• Plumbing Inspections
• Appliance hook-ups and draining
• Backflow Prevention
• Water Pressure Regulators

With a full visual inspection, homeowners can have peace of mind knowing exactly what is happening with their plumbing. After the inspection, Bill Howe will provide a detailed findings report and make recommendations for repairs, if any are needed.

We also offer emergency plumbing services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So your problem becomes our top priority and we work to resolve it quickly and efficiently.

Get the plumbing inspection San Diego residents prefer. For more information or to request a San Diego plumbing inspection quote, please contact us at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469), chat with us 24/7, or book your service online.