Should I have a plumbing inspection done on my new home?
If you are in the market for a new home or have just purchased one, there are a number of things you will need to do that you never had to think about while renting. One of those things is a whole house plumbing inspection. Plumbing inspections are required during new home construction in most communities to ensure compliance with local, state and federal standards. However, if you are planning to buy a used home with more than a few years on it, scheduling a professional plumbing inspection is a good idea for you as well.
Older homes may have water pipes of materials that are no longer used because they tend to develop more leaks or release chemicals and metals into the water over time. Some chemicals affect only the water flavor while others can be toxic in high concentrations. Neither is a desirable condition, of course.
Although there are numerous sources ready to convince you that you can and should perform this inspection yourself, are you confident that you would be able to identify spots that don’t look like trouble now but could cause a pipe to burst with only a little extra stress?
It takes a trained eye to see the difference between mild corrosion that is normal with older metal pipes and excessive corrosion and pitting that will cause pipe failure. Professional plumbers can use a small camera able to snake through pipes at the end of a flexible tube to provide a video of the condition of the insides of the plumbing system, technology that few new homeowners have on hand. Then the plumber can tell you exactly what the video shows.
A new home is a substantial investment. Looking for ways to cut costs and save money is natural but your new home’s infrastructure may not be the place to start. An inspection by a well-qualified professional plumber can save you much worry, frustration and money in the future for a small investment now.
Are you in need of a home plumbing inspection in the Berkeley area? Call Albert Nahman Plumbing and Heating at (510) 876-9725 and schedule a service call today!
