How To Inspect Your Own Plumbing And Save On Repairs

Do you know how to inspect your plumbing? This article tells you how to do it and where to look.

Inspecting your plumbing on a regular basis allows you to spot leaks early and take care of them. Regular inspection can turn serious plumbing headaches into 10-minute repair jobs. Here are some tips for inspecting your home's pipes and fixtures by yourself.

Check Everywhere For Leaks

Check all toilets, faucets and fixtures for leaks. One quick way to find out if you've got a leak anywhere in the house is to turn off all faucets and fixtures. Then go outside and have a look at your water meter. There's an area that says 'leak indicator.' If it's moving there, that means there's a leak somewhere in the house. Other hints include funny sounds and a toilet handle that you have to jiggle to get it to work.

Look At Pipes

Have a look at all of the pipes that are visible anywhere in the house. Check pipes for weathering and corrosion. If there's corrosion on the outside of your pipes, this is a sign that it needs to be replaced, and it's always better to do this sooner than later. The longer you wait, the more expensive it'll get!

Your Branch Drain Lines

Get down into the basement (if you have one) and look at the branch drain lines. These are all the pipes that run from different areas of the house and bring water from your plumbing fixtures into the main drain. At the joists where they meet, there is often discoloration or moisture. Either of these means that the pipes are deteriorating and you're going to have much bigger problems if you don't take care of it soon.

Do The Wash

Your washing machine is one of the most common places where there can be plumbing problems. To make sure that it's running properly and not wasting water, do a little test. Run it and see if there's any water escaping anywhere.

Inspect Your Water Heater

Take a good look at your water heater. Inspect the pipes, connections, and valves for signs of corrosion. Also, see if there is any standing water around it. If you've got a raised heater, there is a water collection tray underneath. For floor units, just look around its base for water. If there's water there, you've got trouble. Water heaters usually last around 10 to 15 years, so if yours is old, consider replacing it.

Regularly check out your plumbing and if there is anything amiss, call the plumber immediately (or fix it yourself if you're so inclined). It's important not to let those little things go if you don't want to spend a small fortune on plumbing repairs in the future. No leak is too small to be serious!

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