❏ Look for signs of leaks in exposed pipes, where pipes run through the walls or the foundation of your home. Signs of a leak include puddles of water, watermarks, spongy texture, dampness, and mildew. Check for mildew, which is caused by standing water that may have dried up again.
❏ Look for signs of corrosion. Corrosion of pipes can cause leaks and bad pipe connections if not corrected. A sign of corrosion is green stains around brass, copper fittings and on shutoff valves. Rust, dusty material, and change of color on or around piping – all should be checked by a qualified Plumbing Technician.
❏ Test water pressure. Water pressure is with how much force the water comes out of sink faucets and shower-heads. Low water pressure can be a sign of sediment build up in the faucet or shower head. It may also be a sign of a problem with the water line. High water pressure can cause damage to pipes & your home. It your pressure makes pipes, whine, shake, or splash out of the sink – have it checked.
❏ Remove the shower-head to look for any sediment that may have collected in it. This may be a cause of lower the water pressure. You should check for sediment build-up at least twice a year. If it is frequent, you will need to have this checked as it shows further signs of damage that can ruin pipes, your water heater, water softener and valves.
❏ Check each sink, shower and tub drain for the speed of drainage. Slow drainage usually indicates a clog in the drain or a blocked vent pipe. Your drains should have a full swirl when draining. If bubbles appear when water is draining, this is usually a sign of a problem. Contrary to what you have been told, chemicals down your drain, is not only harmful to your pipes, but to the city water system that it goes into. Have a professional help you handle these issues safely, responsibly and cleanly .
❏ Check the flushing handle and inside parts of the toilets. Flush each toilet to make sure that it is flushing properly. Check the parts inside the tank of the toilet to see if any parts are broken, rusted, or missing. Make sure the toilet water does not continue to run after flushing and make sure there is no sign of water on the floor around the toilet. Push and pull on each toilet to see if it rocks or moves. If it does you run the risk of water damage to your floor, tile, and lower levels which is very costly.
❏ Look for cracked tiles in the shower, around sinks, or near water pipes in the home. Loose or hollow tiles can be an indication that there is, or was, a leak that has caused rotting underneath or behind the tile. You should check the caulking on your tub, sink & toilet
❏ Look inside the burner chamber of the home”s water heater. See if there are any flakes of rust inside of the chamber. Also, check the flame of the water heater, which should be a blue color with no signs of yellow in the flame. If you see a yellow color, this may mean that the jets need to be cleaned.
❏ You should drain the water heater to remove sediment that may have built up in it. It is highly recommended you get accurate & detailed instructions from your Plumbing Technician so you don’t injure yourself or damage your water heater.
❏ Turn on all of the faucets in your home to see if there is any water coming out of the handles and valves.
❏ Check the washing machine hoses to make sure that there aren’t any cracks and that the hoses are not brittle or leaking.
Take advantage of the Free Pipe & Leak Inspection we are offering for a limited time with any service call. Let us help protect your valuable assets – your home. We’ll be there.
