As a homeowner, the only time you might pay attention to your plumbing is if something goes wrong. However, if you practice preventive maintenance when it comes to plumbing, you can avoid unexpected disasters, such as overflowing toilets and clogged drains. One kind of preventive maintenance is to have your plumbing inspected on a regular basis by a professional plumber or HVAC contractor.

To help you better understand this type of maintenance, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions about plumbing inspections.

1. How Often Should Homeowners Get a Plumbing Inspection?

For the best chance of avoiding plumbing disasters, you should get a plumbing inspection done every two years. However, there are instances you may want to have your plumbing inspected more often. This is especially the case if you live in an older home with steel pipes or if you have large trees near your home. You will also want to get the plumbing inspected if you just purchased a new home.

One other reason you should get your plumbing inspected is if you notice anything unusual going on with your plumbing. Signs of plumbing problems include low water pressure, rattling pipes, brown spots on the ceiling, a gurgling toilet, or higher water bills.

2. What Are the Different Types of Plumbing Inspections?

There are a few different types of plumbing inspections. One type is a visual inspection in which the plumber checks certain parts of the plumbing to ensure it is all working correctly. During a visual inspection, the plumber will also check the water pressure to make sure it is within normal range.

Another type of plumbing inspection is done with a camera. During this type of inspection, the plumber puts a camera through the pipes to see what is going on inside of them. The plumber will either use a push camera or a lateral launch camera. Some plumbers can even do an inspection with a robotic crawler.

3. Why Are Plumbing Inspections So Important?

The primary reason for doing a plumbing inspection is to catch small plumbing problems before they turn into big ones. A plumbing inspection can also find undetected water leaks, which will not only help save water, it can significantly decrease your water bill. Water leaks can also cause damage to flooring, as well as promote the growth of mold and mildew.

Plumbing inspections are also important as they can detect mineral buildup, which is how the drains typically become clogged. Another important aspect of a plumbing inspection is that it will help you determine whether or not you just need to make repairs or if you have to replace the entire plumbing system.