One of the many aspects of home inspection is checking the plumbing system. Water is indeed very vital for us to live, but water-related problems can be caused by improperly installed plumbing systems. The home inspector will check and test the water supply and distribution within the house, and there are many things that are covered by these.
To start off, the home inspector will first go to the location of the main water valve. Since this is the main shutoff device, this is the best place to check on the plumbing system of the house. After that, the inspector will go to see the water heating equipment, which includes the bracing, combustion air, connections, sources of energy, and venting. He will then verify if there are valves present or not.
The home inspection will then proceed to testing and ensuring that the plumbing fixtures are working. The ways to do this are by flushing toilets, and by running water in faucets, sinks, showers, and tubs. Thus, water supply can be verified in all fixtures by this method. In addition, the drain, vent, and waste systems will also be inspected while testing out the interior water supply.
If there are any fuel storage systems around, these might be described by the home inspector as well. The inspector will also provide descriptions of the drain, main fuel shut-off valve, waste, and water supply. The locations of other valves will also be included in the report as a part of home inspection.
The home inspector will also determine whether the home's water supply is private or public. Along with this information, he will also include in his report any needed repairs from defects or deficiencies seen when operating two or more fixtures simultaneously. Improperly installed and misidentified hot and cold faucets will also be 9ncluded in the inspector's written report.
Other defects in the plumbing system include dysfunctional lavatories, sinks, and tubs. Ceramic cracks, leaks, and tanks that do not operate properly are also considered defectives. Although the home inspector checks a lot of things regarding the plumbing system, he is not required to test washing machines or evaluate the qualities of water heaters, such as their waiting time and life expectancy.
Other things that a home inspection isn't required of covering are determining the adequacy, flow rate, pressure, quality, temperature, or volume of water, evaluating the code compliance of the water supple with regard to energy conservation, and examining auxiliary components. Inspecting private sewage systems, water storage tanks, and water treatment systems, and evaluating gas storage tanks are also not required.
Water is definitely a key element to survival. It is undeniable that it is an important aspect to daily living, so it is but necessary to have the plumbing system inspected by the home inspector to ensure safety and to foresee any water-related problems. But water can also bring damage to homes, as revealed by a proper and thorough home inspection. Water may keep us alive, but if it is disregarded, water can also be a factor for a damaged and defective home.
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