household plumbing inspection

A household plumbing inspection can save you a lot of time and money. Plumbing issues that are not promptly repaired may lead to more expensive problems, and cheap DIY solutions don’t always work as well as expected. Here are 5 symptoms that deserve attention as soon as they pop up.

1. Slow or Clogged Drains

Drains can become fully or partially blocked for a variety of reasons, and a household plumbing inspection is the best way to diagnose your problem and get the correct repairs underway. From exterior damages caused by recent construction, root growth of nearby trees, or interior problems such as hair clogs or toilet stoppages, drains that aren’t flowing properly can cause other problems without prompt repair.

2. Interior Wet Places 

Wet places in the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom may be an indication of many types of problems, ranging from broken pipes to the failure of the wax ring under your toilet. Since plumbing problems often occur inside walls or under floors, plumbing inspections are commonly used to identify the source of leaks.

3. Hot Water Issues

If your water heater is misbehaving, schedule a plumber to take a look at it before it fails completely. Water heaters are subject to problems such as failed thermostats, corroded heating elements, and the deterioration of aging water tanks. If your water heater is more than 15 years old, it is approaching the end of its expected longevity, and replacement of the water heater may be more appropriate than repairing individual parts.

4. Foul Odors

Unpleasant odors near sink or tub drains could be an early symptom of serious plumbing issues. Organic material that gets trapped in your drain pipes will decompose over time, releasing gases that are offensive to the nose. If you are noticing bad smells coming from your septic tank or drain field, the problem may be related to an organic imbalance in the tank, a blockage in the drain field, or even sewage pipes affected by tree roots or erosion.

5. Exterior Wet Spots

Another symptom of problems involving sewage pipes and drain fields is the presence of perpetually wet areas in your lawn. Over time, your sewer lines can be broken or pushed out of place, allowing water to escape the lines before reaching the septic tank or sewer main. Having the septic tank pumped out is a temporary fix, and may be necessary before beginning the actual repairs. 

A lot of things can go wrong with a residential plumbing system, and identifying the source of the issue is not always as straightforward as you may think. Home plumbing inspections eliminate the guesswork so the problem can be repaired efficiently, saving you both time and money when compared to trying to make trial-and-error repairs on your own.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

A household plumbing inspection is an important part of buying a home, but you should have one every few years after the closing as well. Keep in mind that not all plumbing inspection companies are the same, however, and work with a company that best suits your plumbing needs.

1. Licensed Contractors

Licensed household plumbing inspectors can repair any problems found during an inspection. They are also authorized to pull any permits and request municipal inspections on the work they perform. Unlicensed contractors can’t get permits or schedule inspections, and that can lead to major problems a few years down the road.

2. Insurance Coverage

Responsible home plumbing contractors carry liability insurance that protects you and your home against faulty plumbing repairs, injuries that occur during the repair process, and more. If you allow an uninsured contractor to perform plumbing repairs, you may not have any recourse if the work does not meet code requirements, uses inferior materials, or results in additional damages. Contractors are licensed to protect property owners and settling for anything less could cost you a lot more.

3. Clean and Courteous

Reputable home plumbing inspectors should be professional in appearance and attitude. Don’t be taken in by contractors who are rude or try to push you into repairs that aren’t necessary. With only a few exceptions, your home plumbing contractor will show up wearing company uniforms, leave the work in a safe and tidy condition at the end of the day, and will always treat you and your family with the respect and courtesy you deserve.

4. Complete Plumbing Services

Ideally, your home plumbing inspectors will also be the contractor who makes the repairs. In fact, an inspector who advises you to seek repairs elsewhere may not be the best choice to perform the inspection at all because they aren’t backed by years of practical experience in plumbing repairs. Finding the source of a problem is only the beginning, and no inspection is complete if they leave your home without addressing the problems they find.

5. Reviews and Testimonials

Look for positive reviews and testimonials from people who have had the same type of work performed. This is an important final step in the selection process because even contractors who are licensed and insured will occasionally turn out to be unprofessional or even dishonest, and their faults will only become apparent by first hand comments from previous customers.

A household plumbing inspection is only the first step in locating and repairing faulty plumbing or sewer systems. Once you have chosen a responsible company, ask them to perform a complete inspection and provide you with a checklist of what has been inspected when the job is done. In some cases, uncorrected problems multiply, so getting a complete picture of what needs to be done may save a lot of money over the course of home ownership.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

Low water pressure is a common reason for scheduling a household plumbing inspection. Low water pressure can be a big problem, preventing household appliances like dish and clothes washers from functioning properly and becoming an annoyance for family members. The lower pressure could be related to several problems, and these 5 top the list of the most common reasons for low water pressure.

1. Valve Issues

You can check your water valves before scheduling a home plumbing inspection. The problem may be that your meter line has been turned off for some reason and then partially opened afterward. Similarly, the main valve leading into your home should be checked to ascertain that it is fully open and working properly. 

2. Blocked Pipes

Older pipes can be clogged internally. As pipes age, rust and corrosion take place in your metal pipes, slowly blocking the flow of water. It takes many years for the blockage to occur, and your water pressure will slowly lose pressure for most of that time. Replacing old pipes not only improves your water pressure but also makes your water healthier by removing potential contaminants.

3. Water Leaks

A water leak can cause everything from a loss of pressure to a complete loss of flow. Large leaks may result in a lot of damage very quickly, so schedule a plumbing inspection as soon as you notice a loss of pressure or unusual wet spots in the home or yard. Leaks may be the worst type of plumbing problem because they often lead to other damages as well.

4. External Issues

Low water pressure may not be related to anything in your home. Local utilities will occasionally lose pressure due to infrastructure improvements, auto accidents, or other external circumstances. Contact the water company before you schedule a home inspection to make sure the problem is really yours. If it is a utility issue, they should be able to give you an idea of how long the problem will last.

5. Pressure Regulator Failure

Some homes are equipped with a water pressure regulator. This device maintains pressure coming into your home, often boosting what is available from the local utility company. When it fails, a pressure regulator can cause severe fluctuations in water pressure, and replacement is the most common solution.

Low water pressure may be no problem at all, but it does have the potential to cause expensive damage. Scheduling a plumbing inspection will find the source of the problem and you may have your water pressure back to normal in as little as a single day.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

Without a periodic household plumbing inspection by a leading contractor such as Ehret Plumbing & Heating, your home is in greater danger from water damage resulting from leaks that could otherwise have been prevented. If you notice signs like rattling in your walls, areas that always seem to be wet, or water stains on your ceilings or walls you should schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Some leaks develop slowly, and others happen almost instantly, so it is a good idea to know what to do if your plumbing springs a leak.

Check Power Locations

Home plumbing inspections help you protect more than just your plumbing. A sudden plumbing leak may pose a serious risk of short circuits, fire, or even electrocution. If there is any danger of that happening, turn off the circuit breaker(s) for the areas that are affected. If you do not know which breakers to turn off, turn off the main breaker. This may be an inconvenience afterward, but it will not cause any problems you can’t correct after the leak is resolved.

Shut Off Water Supply

Once the electrical danger is resolved, turn off the water in the area. Depending on where the leak is located, there may be a valve nearby, but major leaks such as broken pipes probably require turning off the main water line to the home. Sinks, toilets, and water heaters typically have independent shut-off valves. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the valve locations in your home beforehand so that you can stop the flow quickly.

Call Your Plumber

Call Ehret Plumbing & Heating residential plumbing service to make a service request. Provide as much information about the leak as you are able, and if the leak is a major problem notify the plumbers that it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you were not able to shut off the water for any reason, make sure that the company is aware of it.

Clear Area Near Leak

Move any furniture, linen, or other items away from the leaking area to provide plenty of access to the area. It is better to remove everything prior to trying to dry the area because it reduces potential damage to your furniture, plus the area under that stuff may be wet as well. 

Remove Water

Remove as much of the water as you can from the affected area. The sooner the area has been dried, the less potential there is for water damage to your walls, floors, and even the ceilings below the leak. A wet vac is the fastest way to remove a lot of water, but mops or other absorbent materials will work. 

It may not prevent every leak, but having licensed and insured home plumbing contractors perform a household plumbing inspection can make a difference. Proactively maintaining your home’s plumbing may be the difference between a broken pipe and a major renovation.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

The source of noisy pipe problems is usually found during a household plumbing inspection. Most of the problems can be traced by the homeowner, but a licensed and insured plumbing specialist is able to make necessary repairs that the homeowner may not have experience with. To illustrate how varied noisy pipes can be, here are 4 common reasons for noisy pipes. 

1. Valves Not Fully Open

One of the first things to check in a home plumbing inspection is the condition of the valves in the plumbing system. Valves that are partially clogged or not fully open can cause vibrations and squealing sounds. Defined simply, the noise is a result of water flow being squeezed off, similar to the sound made by reducing airflow out of a balloon.

2. Too Much Pressure

A common problem known as “water hammering”: is the result of over-pressurized water lines. When the flow is turned off, a sudden backup in the lines causes them to shake. Other related noises will develop over time, including a banging or knocking sound. Water hammering may be more noticeable when using appliances such as washers because those machines have immediate full cutoffs that instantly stop the flow.

3. Drains Partially Clogged

Drains that are starting to clog will produce a variety of symptoms that include gurgling noises, odors, and the drain not operating as well as it once did. One common sign of a drain getting clogged is a toilet that doesn’t flush with the same force. It may be working satisfactorily, but not as well as you recall, and that may be a sign of plumbing problems on the horizon.

4. Loose Pipes in the Walls

Pipes that are improperly secured inside your walls may move around when toilets are flushed or faucets turned on or off. As they move, they can knock against the inside of the walls or against the framing or other covered items causing knocks or rattling noises. This problem may be caused by water hammering, but it is also common in older houses and is closely connected to the age of the home.

Contractor or DIY?

Some plumbing noises can be fixed by the homeowner, such as checking that the valves are fully operational, but other solutions involve experienced plumbing contractors. Keep in mind that securing plumbing inside your walls or repairing a clogged sewer line may involve things like opening the wall or trenchless sewer replacement. If you aren’t sure you can fix the problem, enlisting the assistance of a licensed and insured professional is your best course of action.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.