Look For Same Day Service(618) 408-1446

Morrison | Plumbing Heating Air Electrical

Professional Care That's Always There

drains

What to Expect from a Plumbing Inspection

by

 

What is a plumbing inspection? Do I really need it? How often should I schedule it? How much will it cost? Our experts at Morrison Plumbing can answer all these questions and more. Simply give us a call or read on to learn about plumbing inspections and how they can benefit your home.

What is a Plumbing Inspection?

If you’re a homeowner, you may be wondering what a plumbing inspection is and what it entails. Basically, a plumbing inspection is a comprehensive examination of your plumbing system to ensure everything is working properly. You have many elements that contribute to your system’s overall function. When you call one of our experts, we can examine your plumbing pipes, hose bibs, sinks, bathtubs, faucets, showers, toilets, and water heaters. A thorough plumbing inspection will help our professional technicians determine if everything is performing at the correct level or if any repairs are needed. At Morrison Plumbing, we are invested in your safety, as well as your convenience. We want you to be comfortable in your home with a plumbing system you can always rely on.

 

What Kinds of Plumbing Inspections Are There?

The most common type of plumbing inspection completed by professionals is called a visual inspection, which involves the plumber examining all the water and sewer fittings to check for leaks or signs one could appear. We’ll also make sure your appliances are properly connected and check your drains and drainage systems to ensure everything is working as it should. The other type of plumbing inspection is called a camera inspection, which involves our technicians using a compact, high-resolution camera to insert into your pipes. An image will be projected on a screen so we can get a clear visual on the inside of your pipes and effectively identify any clogs or potential drain blockages. It’s important that any issues with the supply lines or your sewer lines are identified and resolved quickly, before they become more serious or costly repairs.

A professional plumbing technician uses a camera inspection to see the inside of the pipes in this Caseyville, IL, home.

What is Included with Your Plumbing Inspection?

If you’re wondering what to expect during your plumbing inspection, we can inform you of our processes. When you hire Morrison Plumbing, one of our expert technicians will thoroughly inspect all points in your plumbing system where water flows through your home, including sinks, toilets, and your lines and pipes. We will look for potential problems, such as leaks, cracks, damaged fittings, and more. We will also examine your outdoor plumbing fixtures (faucets and fittings) to make sure they are operating properly and are protected from freezing during the colder months. You will also have your water heater inspected, including the pressure relief valve, connections, and other fittings. Lastly, we will check the main sewer line and examine the cleanout access. With our comprehensive services, you can be sure your entire system is getting thoroughly inspected.

Why Should You Get a Plumbing Inspection & How Often?

There are many reasons why you should invest in a plumbing inspection for your home. If you’re buying a home, the routine house inspection will check three main points: making sure the drains empty, the taps work, and the toilets flush. This is not a comprehensive plumbing inspection, which will cover many more points. It would be preferable to catch potential problems before you sign everything. If you’re selling your home, plumbing inspections can be useful by assuring your prospective buyers that your plumbing system is in great shape and running properly. This is a big selling point for buyers. As a homeowner, you’ll want to protect your system to prevent expensive plumbing emergencies. Regular inspections can stop small problems from becoming big problems. Most professional plumbers recommend having a thorough plumbing inspection done every two years—though if you have a home over 40 years old, best to make it an annual appointment.

An expert plumber examines a residential water heater in Caseyville, IL.

How Much Will the Plumbing Inspection Cost?

Different plumbing companies will charge different rates based on the work they have to complete for your plumbing inspection. In the country, the average cost for a visual plumbing inspection is about $200. Inspections that require the use of specialized equipment, like a camera, will be more expensive, possibly up to $500.

Here are some typical plumbing repair costs if you discover you need them. Remember that even the most expensive repair will most likely result in less expense in the long run. You’re investing in the future of your plumbing system and its continued safe function. These prices represent average costs. Please contact us at Morrison Plumbing to find out our specific rates and we’ll provide you with a free quote.

  • Clearing sewer lines – $75-$200
  • Unclogging drains – $175
  • Sewer line repair $750-$2000
  • Sewer line replacement – $7000+
  • Removing objects from drain lines – $100-$300

When you need a professional plumbing inspection, call Morrison Plumbing at (618) 408-1624 today! We’ll provide you with expert service at fair prices, making sure you have peace of mind that your home is in good hands.

 

How to Prevent Emergency Plumbing Problems

by

A young female homeowner on the phone with a professional plumber, requesting help to fix a leak in her Caseyville, IL home.

Unfortunately, plumbing problems can occur at any time, but if you have professionals in your corner, you don’t have to stress about how to fix them. At Morrison Plumbing, we are available to help you 24/7 in the event of a plumbing emergency. However, there are steps you can take to help prevent those emergencies from happening in the first place. As a homeowner, you should be on the lookout for warning signs and contact our expert plumbers immediately if you have an emergency, including burst pipes, clogged or overflowing drains, and broken water heaters. These issues can cause significant water damage if not fixed right away by a professional. To avoid property damage and mold in your home, follow these helpful steps and contact our team with any concerns.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Like any system in your home that is used regularly, your plumbing system can become affected by natural wear and tear over time. Corrosion can happen in your pipes, which can lead to cracks, holes, and leaks. Suddenly your system is at risk for a major plumbing issue. To avoid these problems before they occur, our experts at Morrison Plumbing recommend performing regular maintenance at least once a year to ensure your system continues to function at its best. It’s better for your plumbing to have a professional perform the maintenance and repair services, so call our team today! We’ll perform a thorough inspection of the entire system, clean your drains, eliminate any clogs, and replace defective components with new, energy-efficient parts to help your plumbing system last even longer.

Practice Proper Disposal of Your Items

It’s important to know the kinds of items that could cause problems for your household plumbing. For example, grease is one of the worst things you can put in your pipes because when it cools, it congeals, making it easy for other items to become stuck in it. Avoid dumping grease or even greasy foods down the kitchen sink. It’s also a good practice to give your garbage disposal a rest. Relying on it too often can lead to plumbing issues. Whenever possible, try to collect waste and either compost it or dispose of it in your trash can instead. Also, try to clean your disposal with a special brush or grind up ice cubes with salt to help cut through grease and clean the sides. Lastly, be careful what you dispose of down the toilet—avoid throwing in floss, cotton balls, feminine products, hair, or anything besides toilet paper. They will quickly lead to clogs. Since hair is the most common cause of clogs, you can prevent it from going down your shower drain by using a simple mesh screen to collect the hair for easy disposal in the trash can. Stop clogs before they start!

A man washing food waste down the drain in his kitchen sink in Caseyville, IL.

Pay Attention to Any Warning Signs

One of the most important ways to prevent an emergency plumbing problem is to stay vigilant and pay attention to warning signs, such as strange smells or noises, leaking faucets or pipes, pools of water around your water heater, and multiple clogged drains. If you are experiencing one or more of these difficulties, it’s best to call in the experts for a professional inspection. If you take immediate action and alert us to the potential problem, our qualified technicians at Morrison Plumbing can fix your minor issues before they turn into major ones. This will save you time and money, as well as protect your home from devastating water damage. Don’t ignore the signs! Instead, let the professionals determine the severity of the situation and advise you on the best course of action to ensure your system is safeguarded against the unexpected.

Flush Drains Regularly and Fix Recurring Problems

It’s important to regularly flush your drains. Hot water helps break up oils in food and clears potential clogs, so run hot water down your drain on a regular basis and occasionally add vinegar. Some low-volume fixtures and pipes rarely receive the large volume of water required to effectively clear debris. Fix this by flushing a large amount of water (about 5 gallons) down sinks and bathtubs on a regular basis.

If you notice a particular problem recurring, focus on fixing the cause. It is not uncommon for a pipe or sewer line to backup; however, you should not simply wait for the next blockage to occur. Act immediately! Fixing the underlying cause of recurring blockages is less expensive than dealing with the costs of frequent backups. Tree roots entering sewer lines or structural issues in the pipes can cause recurring problems. Allow a professional to scope the line by sending a camera down the drain to visually inspect what is going on in your pipes.

A female homeowner consulting with a professional plumber to administer repairs and services to fix her plumbing in Caseyville, IL.

Call Your Local Plumber Before It Becomes an Emergency

Morrison Plumbing is dedicated to providing high-quality plumbing and HVAC services throughout Illinois. Our plumbers in Caseyville are licensed, insured, and more than qualified to perform any necessary service. Whether you have major plumbing issues or just need a simple repair for a clogged drain, we can get the job done quickly and efficiently. Our goal is to ensure your safety and satisfaction. We will work hard to find a cost-effective solution for all your home’s needs. Please don’t wait for a situation to become an emergency. The sooner your contact our experts, the sooner we can resolve the issue, hopefully preventing significant damage and repair costs in the process. For immediate assistance, contact our Caseyville, IL, plumbing technicians today. Our phone number is (618) 248-4453, and we are available 24/7 to handle any emergency situation, though we urge you to contact us before it escalates.