pipe inspection

Checking the pipes isn’t at the top of most people’s list of things to do at home, but the consequences can be serious if you neglect it completely. We’ll explain why you mustn’t put off checking your pipes!

A pipe inspection can save you a lot of money. Over the years, all pipes build up a layer of grease, chemicals and food residues. This build-up will only increase over time, and most of us aren’t particularly good at thinking about maintenance and preventing blocked pipes in our day-to-day lives.

If you carry out a pipe inspection, you’ll be able to monitor the condition of your pipes and carry out any necessary repairs, so that you can go to bed at night with a clear conscience and without worrying that something might happen to your pipes. After all, you are responsible for ensuring that the drainage pipes from your house out to the municipal mains – also known as the service pipe – are in good condition.

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR PIPES CHECKED?

Pipe inspections aren’t something you need to carry out every year. It’s more than enough to check your pipes once a decade. Feel free to ask local professionals when you should carry out your next pipe inspection, as this may depend on various factors in your area.

If you have taken over a property that is more than 40 years old, it is advisable to have the pipework inspected, unless there is documentation to show that this has recently been carried out.

A PLUMBER CAN’T DO THE SAME JOB

Checking your pipes regularly is an important part of owning a home, and properly functioning pipes are essential for your comfort at home. A plumber can help you with many problems that arise with your pipes, but a plumber is first and foremost an expert in fitting, repairing, installing or adapting plumbing systems – which a pipe inspection is not part of.

A pipe inspector, on the other hand, can carry out several of the tasks that a plumber is often called out to do. If you have a blocked drain or a blocked toilet, it is a pipe inspector you should call.

THESE SIGNS INDICATE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR PIPES INSPECTED

1. There are gurgling sounds
   Gurgling noises from your drains are one of the first signs of a problem. The noises occur when the water has to displace the air in the pipe in order to flow through, and are caused by there being far too little space. This is particularly common in kitchens, where a lot of grease ends up in the drain. Read also: Has your sink started gurgling?.
2. There’s a nasty smell
   When a pipe becomes completely or partially blocked, bacteria thrive. Having the pipes flushed is absolutely essential to remove the unpleasant odour coming up from the drain, as well as to prevent further damage to the pipes.
3. You have a property with an older pipework system
   Pipes, and their quality, have changed considerably over the years. In older homes, the condition of the pipes varies greatly depending on when the system was installed and how owners have maintained them over the years. A pipe inspection will tell you exactly what condition your pipes are in, and if the situation is so bad that flushing the pipes isn’t enough – fortunately, pipe rehabilitation is an excellent solution. In many cases, pipe rehabilitation means you won’t need to replace the old pipes.
   See also: 7 good reasons to choose pipe renewal
4. The drain often gets blocked
   If your drains often become blocked and you keep resorting to Plumbo time and time again, you’re not solving the actual problem and are potentially exposing the pipes to further damage. Plumbo and other drain cleaning products are very harsh on the pipes and can cause damage and leaks. Call for a pipe inspection, as your pipes will most likely need flushing – or perhaps even a more extensive repair.

PIPE INSPECTIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

There are many providers of pipe inspection and pipe jetting services on the market, but not all of them operate with the same level of professionalism. Check that the pipe inspection company in question is a member of Rørinspeksjon Norge (RIN). VITEK aims to help improve safety and provide accurate information to those who need it. VITEK is also an established specialist in all services relating to pipes and drainage systems, with specialist expertise in pipe cleaning, inspection and renewal.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the service pipe – the pipe that connects your house to the mains network. Avoid major expenses – opt for pipe renewal before problems arise.

Local authorities across the country have long since realised that renovating service pipes is absolutely essential to reduce leaks in the pipework network. Nevertheless, it is the homeowner who is responsible for carrying this out. The problem is that almost half of all homeowners are not up to date or aware of the condition of their own service pipes, or whether they need repairing.

The local authority will therefore issue a notice to rectify the situation if you do not meet the requirements, by which time the damage to the pipes may already be so extensive that it will cost you a great deal. To avoid significant expenses, you should therefore opt for pipe renewal before this happens.

BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY WHEN IT COMES TO PIPE INSPECTION

VITEK sees cases every day where some of the problems – and consequently the costs incurred – could have been avoided if pipe renewal had been carried out just a few years earlier. As a homeowner, it is therefore never too early to have your pipes inspected and assessed. Anyone can do this, but it is particularly important for those of you living in a property that is 20 years old or older.

A full inspection is not always necessary. During a pipe inspection, a comprehensive check of all the pipes is carried out to determine the need for repairs, but sometimes the extent of the damage and the required work can be easily assessed during a preliminary inspection. We can do this during a simple site visit and then provide you with a quote for pipe renewal.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PIPES

Before carrying out pipe renewal, you need to check what the existing pipes are made of. Different materials have been used at various stages over the past few decades, depending on the raw materials and technology available at the time. Both cast iron and plastic in various forms are widely used. Pipe renewal can be carried out on virtually all types of pipes. Pipes can be renewed at bends (where the pipe changes direction) and where the pipe dimensions change. The fact that other pipes are connected to the branch pipe is not a problem either. The connection point is then opened using a robot that mills a hole.

Pipe rehabilitation has been carried out since the 1970s and is therefore nothing new. Vitek has been rehabilitating pipes for almost 40 years, and the volume of work has increased – and continues to increase – all the time. The durability and guarantees are equivalent to those of brand-new pipes.

It is important that the assessment of which method to use is carried out by professionals. Pipe renewal is not a quick and easy solution; it requires knowledge and experience, as well as the right product and method for the specific pipe to be renewed.

TENDERS AND CONTRACTS

Feel free to obtain several quotes for pipe renewal work. Remember to check for certificates of competence and specific accreditations, which indicate that the company is reputable and has the necessary expertise to ensure a good result.

Here at VITEK, we are members of Rørinspeksjon Norge, maintain the highest professional standards and have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge. You are welcome to contact us at any time for a no-obligation chat, an assessment and to draw up a plan on how we can best assist you.