If you’re planning to buy or sell a house in Fort Worth, TX, you should know that most home inspectors provide only a cursory, rather superficial examination of plumbing system features. That’s definitely not the case when you hire a professional plumber to conduct your plumbing system inspection. As a major feature of the home, it makes sense to have a thorough understanding of the plumbing system’s condition. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth can provide a plumbing inspection conducted by a licensed plumber.
If you are planning to purchase a property, in particular, you should definitely find out the plumbing system’s condition. It may alter your purchase offer. When you hire a plumbing professional from our team to inspect a home’s plumbing system, you can expect a full evaluation of its condition.
What Do Home Inspectors Check?
Many buyers and sellers are content to rely on a home inspector’s report regarding a house’s plumbing system. Unfortunately, a home inspector will only address a few basic issues. They’ll check to make sure the water flows through the faucet. They’ll make sure that the drains are draining. They’ll flush all toilets to ensure they flush. Beyond that, they may or may not look for obvious leaks.
Considering how vitally important a plumbing system is to a home, many people involved in real estate transactions prefer to invite an experienced plumber into the house to conduct a more thorough inspection of the plumbing system. If you want to have a home inspected by a trained plumber, rely on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth.
Professional Plumbing Inspections
When you hire a licensed plumber to conduct a thorough evaluation of a home’s plumbing system, you can expect a more comprehensive assessment than what a general home inspector will provide. Here are some of the inspection points you can expect your professional plumbing technician to cover:
Fixtures and Supply Lines
A professional inspection should include an examination of all plumbing fixtures, including faucets and shower heads. Plumbing pros will be looking to make sure these fixtures work properly and that the water flowing from them isn’t rust-colored or brown. They’ll also note the water pressure.
Water Filtration Systems
If the home has a water filtration system, expect the inspection to include this in the report.
Valves
Shutoff valves are important if you ever have to rely on them. A plumbing technician should check to make sure each shutoff valve, including the main valve, is working properly.
Exposed Pipes
During the inspection, the plumber will look at all exposed pipes and shut-off valves in bathrooms, the kitchen, and laundry area. They’ll look for signs of leaks and to make sure the pipes are properly secure and not rattling. Expect them to check outdoor spigots to ensure they’re working without leaks.
Sinks and Tubs
A plumbing professional will check each of the home’s sinks and bathtubs to ensure they’re not leaking. They’ll make sure the caulking is sealed and that there are no visible signs of mold.
Toilets
While checking to make sure each toilet flushes is important and noted on a home inspector’s report, a professional plumbing inspection will note if the toilet is leaking, loose, or running.
Water Heater
A comprehensive plumbing system inspection includes examination of the water heater to ensure it’s working properly.
Water Meter
The plumbing inspection will generally include a look at the water meter to make sure it isn’t damaged and appears to be functioning properly.
Sewer Line
Some people insist on hiring a plumbing contractor to inspect the sewer line using an inline camera. This is not a bad idea considering the cost of sewer line repairs and replacement.
Sump Pump
A plumber will typically include an examination of the sump pump in their report too. They can test it to make sure it drains as it’s supposed to.
Garbage Disposal
A plumbing technician can also inspect the garbage disposal to make sure it’s operating properly.
The Report
After your plumber conducts the evaluation and you receive their report, set aside some time to talk about it. This is a good time to discuss their opinion about the overall state of the plumbing system. Ask them if they would recommend any upgrades. What is the material used for the pipes? How long before you should expect to make replacements?
A plumbing professional can point out specific problems as well as the system’s positive points. In short, they can provide you with a careful assessment of the plumbing system so you can make a decision about whether to negotiate further with a seller or make repairs yourself before listing the Fort Worth, TX home.
You might also consider drawing up a list of questions to give to your plumbing contractor before they make the examination. That way, they’ll know exactly what information you’re looking for in addition to the common inspection points.
Choose Experience and Expertise
If you are planning to buy or sell a house in the region, you can rely on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth for a full plumbing system inspection. The more you know about a home, the more informed decisions you can make when it comes to negotiating a price point. In some cases, a plumbing system in serious disrepair may cause you to walk away from a purchase. For instance, extensive leaks can damage drywall and flooring; they can cause mold outbreaks and attract pests.
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth if you need a skilled plumbing inspection by a licensed plumber for your Fort Worth, TX home. We also offer a full range of professional plumbing services that include plumbing replacements, installations, maintenance, and repair solutions. Call us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.