Identifying Plumbing Problems in a New Home
Even if the new home you are wishing to buy looks sufficiently delectable, this does not mean that there are no skeletons in the closet. The beautifully manicured lawns and the sophisticated façade may be hiding a veritable junkyard of worn out pipes, leaking faucets and an overall outdated plumbing system. A savvy buyer who is wary of unearthing a nightmare should check out the water lines thoroughly before you deciding to buy a house. A leaking and damaged water line will surely drain out hoards of your well-earned money. Do not keep yourself open to unpleasant surprises double check when there is still time.
The very first thing to do would be to test all the water faucets at home and satisfy yourself with the sufficient water flow. This will negate the presence of clogged or undersized water pipes. Once this is done go on and check the status of the hot water supply in the house. Identify any problems related to the water heater and the supply pipes attached to it. Another problem which may crop up at a later date is related to the knocking of the water pipes. This difficulty occurs when undersized pipes have been used in the home water supply system.
Also when the pipes are not tightly attached to the fixtures, the problem of knocking may occur. If there is knocking present then this may lead to the occurrence of water leakage later on. In order to identify knocking all the faucets should be opened up fully in a gradual manner and listen for sounds. Some of the other home plumbing tips when purchasing a new home involve the checking of the water drainage in sinks. Any gurgling sound or sluggish water movement is a cause for concern. Insufficient venting in the line of the drains may cause clogs to occur.
Also flush out the toilets and see how they work. The presence of pipes made from galvanized steel also has to be identified and replaced if corroded. Basement is as good place of look for problem in the water lines. Check out the presence of leaks in this area. Also observe the floorboards where the pipes pass. This will help you to notice dampness caused by pipe leakage. Dipping in the drain pipes is another potential source of hazard because it is the happy zone for debris collection which can choke out the lines. Do not waste money on plumbers after the house purchase, identify them much before.