Signs Your Home Needs a Plumbing Inspection Before Major Renovations

Thinking about demolishing a wall or crafting the kitchen of your wildest dreams? Hold onto your sledgehammer – a plumbing inspection is the unsung hero you never knew your renovation needed. Yes, yes, it feels like yet another line item on the budget, but trust us: skipping this “minor” check might mean haemorrhaging thousands in repairs or watching your project timeline slide into next year.

Let’s be honest – pipe problems have an uncanny way of popping up right when your home is in shambles and the contractors are deep into debates about grout colours. Suddenly, your “simple” upgrade becomes a plumbing-themed horror show. But, with a thorough inspection upfront, you’ll dodge disasters, keep your schedule tidy, and preserve your sanity.

Here’s your plumber-approved checklist of signs your pipes are plotting mischief before you even pick up a hammer! 

Slow Draining Sinks or Tubs

Does your sink drain at the pace of a snail on holiday? That’s more than a mild annoyance – it’s the plumbing’s way of crying out for help. Whether it’s a hairball the size of a small mammal, soap gone rogue, or roots treating your pipes like an all-you-can-eat buffet, blockages are no joke.

Renovation dust and debris are kryptonite to already-clogged pipes. That slow sink? It could turn into a full-blown flood when your tradies fire up their tools. You don’t need a pool in your kitchen – get it checked.

Unusual Sounds from Pipes

If your pipes are auditioning for the annual “Noisy Home Orchestra” – think bangs, gurgles, and shrill whistles – trouble’s brewing. Water hammer might mean pipes just begging for support, while gurgling can spell air trapped by sneaky blockages or venting totally off-script.

When the power tools come out, vibrations love to make matters worse. Suddenly, those charming pipe noises become spectacular leaks, right when you least want them.

Visible Pipe Corrosion

Channel your inner inspector and scope out the pipes lurking under sinks and in crawl spaces. Rust stains, crusty white or green deposits, or flaking pipes are red flags waving in broad daylight. Corroded pipes are unpredictable at best, explosive at worst, especially when renovations flex them in all the wrong ways.

New fixtures and plumbing reroutes are like a stress test for your pipes. If they’re weak, you could be dealing with an unwelcome indoor waterfall.

Low Water Pressure

If your shower feels more like a gentle mist and your taps have all the enthusiasm of a toddler at bedtime, you’re dealing with low water pressure. Culprits range from mineral buildup to phantom leaks and main line drama.

Renovators beware: limp water pressure complicates every fixture installation, leaving you with lacklustre results or worse, a failed plumbing inspection. If you’re piling on new taps and appliances, your old pipes might just revolt.

Frequent Leaks and Drips

The bathroom tap’s midnight drip concert and that stubborn puddle under your kitchen sink aren’t just annoying – these are the opening act for plumbing chaos. Regular leaks say your system is on the brink, with bits literally falling apart.

Small leaks love nothing more than to stage a big comeback during renovations. Suddenly, you’re staring down a gusher, with your brand-new bathroom as collateral damage.

Old Plumbing System

Still rocking the original pipes from when shoulder pads were in fashion? If your home is 20 to 30 years old (or older) with vintage plumbing, a pre-reno inspection isn’t just wise – it’s crucial.

Building codes march on, and those ancient pipes may not be up to modern standards (or your shiny new fixtures). Council often demands plumbing upgrades as part of major permits, and nobody wants to find that out halfway through the job.

Invest in Peace of Mind Before You Renovate

A plumbing inspection isn’t just another checkbox – it’s a get-out-of-trouble-free card. Pro local plumbers in Dubbo can sniff out issues long before you’re forced to dig up a flawless tiled floor. The small upfront cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the gut-wrenching expense of emergency repairs, or worse, undoing your hard work to reach a hidden leak.

So, call in the pros before your renovations begin. Your wallet – and your stress levels – will give you a standing ovation!