Mechanical Systems - Plumbing

Plumbing involves the installation, maintenance and alteration of piping, fixtures, appliances and accessories in connection with sanitary or storm drainage facilities, venting systems and public or private water supply systems. A plumbing system consists of three systems: (1) water supply (2) drain and waste disposal (3) mechanical, ample fixtures and equipment. Your inspector will inspect and operate all fixtures and run several gallons of water through the plumbing system, checking the overall condition of the system. Leaking pipes, dripping valves, clogged pipes, corrosion, reversed hot and cold water supplies, limited hot water or inadequate water pressure are all common ailments of a poor plumbing system. Remarks and recommendations will be made to correct problems found during inspection

Mechanical - Plumbing - Water Supply

The water supply to your home is one of the most important mechanical elements to your happy and safe enjoyment of the property you intend to purchase. The water supply can either be a public supply such as town water or private well system whether its a community or independently owned. It is very important to most homeowners to have both safe and adequate water to their homes. Each household typically uses several thousand gallons of water a month! Replacement of a water main or well system can be extremely expensive and should be considered carefully when evaluating your purchase. Old or undersized water supply piping can be a source of aggravation and health safety. Wells, which can only be evaluated on a limited basis by our inspection, require safe installation and often- ongoing maintenance. The type and condition of your water main or well could be an element easily overlooked without proper professional home inspection training and experience.

Mechanicals - Plumbing - Waste Disposal

Drain and waste disposal is simply transporting the drain water from sinks, baths, etc., and waste from toilets through a proper channel. These systems excluding the fixtures and piping are either private such as, cesspool or septic tanks, or they are public sewer systems. Public sewer systems are obviously not inspected, but the mechanical equipment delivering the waste or drain water to the main waste line from the home is. Private systems can only be inspected on a limited basis because of the buried nature of the system. It is crucial to know which type of system you have so your inspector can advise you on typical maintenance procedures. One of the key elements looked for when inspecting your waste and drain system is cross connections between this system and your drinking supply water. This can be a serious health hazard and very difficult to find.

Mechanicals - Plumbing - Mechanicals

The mechanical systems in plumbing include fixtures, piping and valves. Although operating fixtures to see if they're working is relatively easy, your inspector will do much more. While operating each fixture in your bathrooms and kitchen he will be considering the effects on the whole plumbing system including leaks, pressure, flow and quality of the existing installation. The piping and valve system of your new home must be in good working order. Old or improperly installed pipes are difficult to repair and often require expensive replacement. Only an experienced eye will pick up badly joined piping on a new installation of clean copper tubing, or consider the limitation.

If you have any questions about plumbing systems or home inspections give us a call