Plumbing maintenance and inspections

What we look at

• The main shut-off. Whether you can find it and whether it closes. See water shut-off.
• Fixture shut-offs. Old valves under sinks and toilets can seize or leak when you need them most.
• The water heater. Its age, connections and any signs of a leak. See water heater repair.
• Exposed pipes. Corrosion, old repairs and pipe types worth knowing about, such as Kitec and lead.
• Water pressure. Whether it is too low, or high enough to strain your plumbing.
• Drains. Whether they run clearly, or are starting to slow down.
• Toilets and faucets. Running toilets and dripping taps waste water quietly.
• Sump pump and backwater valve. If you have them, whether they work and can be reached.
• Laundry and outdoor faucets. Washing machine hoses and faucets that freeze in winter.

What you get

We tell you what we found and what we would do first, in plain language. Something urgent gets flagged as urgent. Something that can wait a few years gets described that way. You decide what to fix, and when.

This is a plumbing check, not a full home inspection, and we can only speak to what we can see and reach. Pipes inside walls and under floors stay hidden, unless there is a reason to look further.

Adding a drain camera

A walk-through cannot show the inside of your sewer line. If your home is older, has big trees out front or has had backups, a drain camera inspection is worth adding. It is also a good idea before you buy a house.

A simple plumbing calendar

• Every fall. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets, and protect pipes in cold spots. See frozen pipes.
• Every spring. Test the sump pump before the snowmelt and spring rain.
• Once a year. Check under sinks and around toilets for slow leaks, and try your main shut-off. Follow the maker's schedule for your water heater.
• Before you go away. Know where the shut-off is, and consider turning off the water.