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Many homeowners have learned the hard way that the plumbing system should be thoroughly checked before signing the papers to buy a new home. Probably you have heard these stories of people buying a house, few days after they run the dishwasher washing machine they find basement flooded. Only to call the plumber and see a break in the line that is going to cost them about $2000 -$5000 to repair.
Alternatively, somebody purchased a house, after a period of about three months he or she notice a terrible smell and the plumber find out you pipes are punctured and go ahead to tell home owner there is something fishy going on since the stud in the wall are flat and should not be.
It worth noting that in a very rare circumstance is seller liable for such issues after customers have signed sales agreement. This is because most agents explain to their clients that the house is being sold at it is, and it is up to them to evaluate the condition prior purchasing.
Buying a home is a very exciting adventure, but it worth to think about those parts you do not usually see on daily basis, but can cost you thousands of dollars if they go undetected. This article highlights some of the overlooked plumbing issues that manifest themselves as leaks and flooding after purchase and end up costing the new homeowners.
Inspect the Water Heater
This critical piece of equipment is expected to provide your family with hot water consistently. Primarily, a family of four should have at least 40 gallons tank. You should check how and where the water heater is located and how it has been positioned.
Moreover, you should check for mineral deposits that settle on the bottom of the tank. If the water heater is old and corroded, you should request a new one as part of the purchase agreement. Here are more tips that should help you inspect the status of the water heater:
- Examine temperature and pressure relief valve, checking this valve should be mandatory. The valve should be able to open when the water reaches a pressure of 150 lbs and temperature of 210 degrees.
- Gas line shut off, this is very critical should an emergency arise. The valve is used to close water heater immediately and shut off gas. The valves are often found frozen.
- Check for gas leaks, and this can be done using gas leaks detector. Moreover, it is critical for all gas-fired units to have a drip leg where gas line enters the water heater.
- Check cold-water valve. It regulates water flow to the water heater. Often is worn out and cause many problems.
Make Sure Toilet Works
A toilet is one of the most valuable items in your house. Probably you are going to live with your toilet for about 20 years. Thus, it worth doing 10 minutes checks before you buy your house. While factor such as color and how much water it uses are important, how well it flushes matters more.
While the purchase of a home check if the toilet conserves water that can generate enough water to clean the bowl in a single flush. One of the most common problems you should never forget to check is water leaks; they can waste hundreds of gallons silently. Here are some critical issues you should check thoroughly:
- Flush handle problem, check if the flush level bar is sticking if the handle does not keep the toilet from running you may consider asking for a replacement.
- Overflow tube leaks, ideal the water level should be set even with the fill line. If you find the water is too high in the toilet tank and is spilling to overflow tube, most likely it will cause some leaks.
- Flapper valve leak, the most common cause for leaking toilet is sealing flapper or improperly working flapper. It may also be worn out or cracked. In most cases, these conditions call for replacement of the flapper.
Inspect the Sewage System
It is crucial you know your sewerage system and finds out if the waste goes to a concrete septic tank or municipal sewers. If the house is equipped, with a septic tank, it is critical to find out where it is located and the last time it was serviced or emptied.
Any leakage or odor surrounding septic tank is evidence there is a problem and should be resolved before signing any contracts. Septic tanks are very sensitive facility and should be given extra attention during inspection. Among the major issues, you should never forget to inspect include:
- Make sure baffles are firmly connected to the tank's inlet and outlet pipes
- If riser lids are present, they should be checked for any cracks and make sure they are secure.
- Check for sludge level, sludge accumulates at the bottom and should never rise to the level of baffles or occupy more than a third of the total volume.
- Sludge level determines if the septic tank should be pumped, knowledge of the previous date can serve as a reference to ascertain the health of the septic tank.
Identifying and addressing plumbing issues before signing home purchase is a fundamental step to avoid problems that will cost much money in the end. By requesting, an inspection from (company) ensures that ensures you and your family move into a home that is safe and ready for you.
Do not be afraid to request the house seller to with you on plumbing issues that will surface during an inspection. Many times sellers will go ahead and get the problem fixed or adjust the price to get the house sold.
With many years of experience as licensed plumber, (company) has set a reputation working with homeowners, property managers, builders and architect, and even insurance companies. Our objective is to conduct a comprehensive inspection using modern non-invasive detection technology and give a detailed report on the status of the plumbing system.
Contact us via Roman Plumbing Inc. and request for independent plumbing inspection and get a complete separate plumbing investigation report. We do plumbing inspection across Murrieta, FL, call (727) 858-3412.
