For many home owners, pipes are only looked at when they are causing problems the rest of the time they are forgotten about. But we encourage our clients to be more proactive about pipe repairs and maintenance in order to protect their assets. Here are eight reasons you need to get a pipe inspection.
FOR DRAINAGE PIPES STORMWATER AND SEWERAGE
YOU’RE BUYING A HOUSE
A typical pre-purchase house inspection will look closely for faulty electrics, dilapidated or non-compliant structural work, lead-based paint, damp and termite damage, among other things – but doesn’t often look deeply into the property’s pipes.
Getting a CCTV pipe inspection before you buy a property can give you a better picture of what the house will really cost you. You’ll have a record of the condition of the home’s plumbing system to guide you in planning future repairs. You’ll also have a clear picture of any issues and because of this you’ll avoid the pitfall of buying a home which has recently had pipes cleared in order to give the illusion of good plumbing.
This also applies to building a new home. Our technicians have seen many new home owners receive their keys only to discover that their pipes were accidentally damaged during the construction process. In this case, having pipes inspected during the initial builder’s warranty period can be crucial to having them fixed quickly and without additional financial burden and stress.
YOU’RE RENOVATING A HOUSE
Getting your pipes thoroughly inspected prior to starting a renovation project can save you a lot of headaches and money.
Imagine you’ve just finished building your dream kitchen only to discover your pipes have started showing signs of wear and tear. Worse, you experience water pooling causing water damage to your new cabinetry, carpet, furniture and more.
This is especially important in properties of more than 20 years old, as pipes do have a set life-span. What often happens is that pipes that appear to have been flowing well for years can suddenly reach a point where unseen corrosion gives way to breakage and loss of flow.
STORM SEASON IS COMING
No matter where you live, storm season will arrive sooner or later. The question is, will your pipes be up to handling the volume of water that comes with heavy rain. There are many things you can do to prepare your home and pipes for bad weather and top of the list is to have a pipe inspection. Knowing exactly what state your pipes are in can help you get repairs done ahead of storm season.
YOU’VE DISCOVERED GREEN GRASS
It might seem obvious, but weeks and even months can go by without a home owner really noticing that an extra lush patch of grass has sprouted in their garden. This is usually a sign that there’s an underground leak.
Another tell-tale sign is a damp spot or water pooling where the surrounding area is dry. Either of these signs are telling you it’s time to get a pipe inspection and get to the bottom of it.
This is particularly urgent where there are mature trees in the vicinity. Tree roots will travel distances to reach a source of water and can cause significant damage to large sections of pipe.
FOR WATER SERVICE PIPES TO YOUR HOUSE
YOUR WATER BILLS SUDDENLY GOT BIGGER
For some householders, a sudden spike in water usage can be the first (or only) sign that a pipe has sprung a leak. If you haven’t changed your water usage habits and you’ve checked for constantly running toilets or taps and your irrigation piping is in good working order, you may have a pipe issue.
Locating the source of water leakage is a job for experts who can carry out a CCTV pipe inspection and give you a comprehensive report on your pipes.
YOUR WATER PRESSURE HAS DROPPED
If your water pressure has recently dropped you can check that;
- the stop valve (near or on your water meter) is fully open
- your neighbours aren’t also experiencing low water pressure (indicating that the local area is experiencing the issue due to infrastructure issues)
- there are no planned or unplanned water interruptions in your area
- and you can’t locate a water leak.
If none of the above has identified the issue, then your pipes could be clogged and you’re going to need a pipe inspection in order assess the situation.
YOUR DRINKING WATER IS DISCOLOURED OR TASTES STRANGE
Chemicals leaching into drinking water from water pipes have recently become a known public health issue. Brass fittings and taps have been found to elevate levels of lead and where PVC pipes are still in use, phthalate and dioxins can be detected in drinking water.
Researchers from Sydney’s Macquarie University recently completed a study which tested drinking water in New South Wales homes. Their findings included the discovery that eight per cent of the homes tested had levels of lead above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG).
“Analysis of household plumbing fittings (taps and connecting pipework) show that these are a significant source of drinking water lead contamination,” the study stated.
It is now recommended that building and homeowners pay close attention to water contamination from internal pipes and fittings. A pipe assessment by a trained technician can help you identify this potentially dangerous issue.
BOOK A PIPE INSPECTION
If any of these eight reasons apply to you, book an inspection with a trained Nuflow technician and get a quote on your pipe relining, backed by our 50-year guarantee –visit our booking pageor call 1800 683 569 within Australia or 0800 168356 in New Zealand.
