PLUMBING INSPECTION NEWARK

Plumbing is the lifeblood of your home. Depending on the age of the home, there are several types of main water and water lines in use today. As one of the most extensive inspections in our checklist, we make sure your plumbing is functional and address areas in need of correction including:

Shut-off valves for main water and fuel supplies

Water heating equipment - Energy source, venting connections, temperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, seismic bracing

Interior water supply - Fixtures, faucets, running water

Toilet function (flushing)

Functional drainage - sinks, tubs, showers

Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats

Home inspectors play a vital role in ensuring the plumbing of your home is in satisfactory quality whether you are buying or selling. In addition to the services above, our reports indicate the location of shutt-off valves, fuel-storage systems, and the capacity of the water heating equipment installed (if labeled). We spot deficiencies in functional flow between fixtures, in hot and cold water faucets and any active water leaks. Our professionals are used to seeing every type of material used today, and know what to look for. Here are a few things about water line materials that are important to know:

Copper is the most commonly used material today for main water supply lines and is very durable. Although expensive, copper water lines are dependable for most every plumbing need due to their ability to withstand very high pressure. They come in rigid and flexible design to meet varying needs within the home. When copper pipes and galvanized pipes are connected together, they should have a dielectric union pipe fitting installed. These are specially designed to hold together two different types of metal.

Lead plumbing fixtures and soldered joints are the biggest potential source of contamination to drinking water. Typically lead water lines run throughout the city and often directly into homes in the basement. Often homes built in the early 1900's will have a higher risk of lead components being used, although that can vary from home to home. Lead pipes are identified by their distinctive "bubble" in the line, typically next to the meter.

CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) has the strength of regular PVC piping, but is heat-resistant. These pipes are strong and remain impenetrable by chemicals. They can be found at your local hardware store, and are often used with DIY home building and plumbing.

PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) is the newest pipe to be used for residential buildings. PEX has the advantage of being easy to cut, flexible, and functional with compression fittings. Connections may require a crimping tool if they are designed to be permanent. When it comes to price, PEX is often three to four times more expensive than copper or plastic.

Complex plumbing construction with many pipes running parallel underneath the structure of a home. The pipes are large in some areas and narrower in others but are designed to deliver water from one end of the house to the other.

The rear view of a sink plumbing fixture including PVC piping and copper piping that has been joined together. The fixture appears to have corrosion on the back and may be leaking in some areas.

The plumbing structure of a home showing the pipes interconnected through the beams of the home. Wiring accompanies the plumbing and no walls or siding have been installed yet, leaving the materials exposed.

Black Polyethylene (PE) or "Black Polly" is a material commonly used today when the main water supply comes from a well. These pipes are plastic and inexpensive. For new homes, many areas don't allow certain plastic pipes because the joints are known to separate and cause leakages.