Buying a new home is a significant moment in your life. You’re ready to embark on a new journey and wish to make special memories in your new place.
However, as exciting as buying a new home is, it can also be daunting. From furnishing to roofing, you need to check every detail of the house to ensure that it caters to your needs. But, when it comes to plumbing, many home buyers often overlook this crucial aspect as it seems too challenging to comprehend.
A plumbing system includes tanks, pipes, valves, and other components that supply water to your place. Regardless of the age or type of residential property, plumbing problems can be concerning as they may disrupt your everyday tasks.
For example, you can face a plumbing issue while taking a quick shower, using the toilet, or even making your breakfast in the morning. To save yourself from all the hassle, you should carefully check the water supply and drainage systems before settling into your new house.
Common Plumbing Problems to Keep An Eye On
Once you have inspected every room of your new house, make sure to inspect the bathroom. Check if all the plumbing parts are functioning properly. If a plumbing issue arises, you will have to contact a plumbing technician for repair or replacement, depending on the extent of the problem.
Here is a list of plumbing problems you need to look out for before buying a house.
Bathrooms and Kitchen
To determine whether your new house is susceptible to plumbing problems, you should check all the bathrooms. It may seem gross at first, but it's crucial to test every detail beforehand to avoid any inconvenience in the future.
By checking the faucets, sinks, and toilets, you will have an idea about the plumbing system’s condition. For a proper examination, you should start by turning on the faucet of the bathroom sink. If you notice low water pressure, it may indicate an underlying plumbing issue that needs your attention.
Similarly, check if the water quickly drains from the washbasin of the bathroom and kitchen sink. See if the faucets or the sink is leaking. Next, you should flush the toilet to make sure there is no delay in flushing or any issue within the toilet tank. If it works well, see if there is any sign of leakage below the toilet or from its tank.
Water Heater
A new water heater can cost you a lot of money. Therefore, you should thoroughly check your home's heater so that you do not have to incur any repair costs later. It is best if you inspect the heater’s water inlet and outlet valves while it's turned on. Also, make sure that there is no corrosion or rust buildup on the valves or faucets. If you notice an unusual noise coming out of the tank or the presence of dust and dirt contaminating the faucet, it may be due to a plumbing problem within the heater.
Sewerage System
If you’re moving into an old property, its sewerage system is likely to have some issues. If you notice any plants growing out of the sewerage drain or gutter, this might be due to plumbing problems within the house. Whether this indicates leakage within the sewerage system or there is an issue in the drainage system, you should get it checked and repaired by a professional. Ignoring these signs may cause inconvenience in the future, along with hefty repair bills. The earlier you get it checked, the better.
Water Supply
Your new house's water meter may contain underlying issues, such as leakage due to small punctures within the system. As a result, it may impact the water flow in the house by reducing the pressure in the water supply. You can carefully assess the system's functioning by turning off all the faucets in the house and writing down the meter readings after certain intervals. If it remains intact, the water supply is working well. If there is a significant change in the meter, despite no water use, it may indicate leakage within the system.
Shower or Bathtub
Lastly, be sure that your new home's shower works well. Turn on the shower to check the water pressure. If the bathroom has a bathtub, fill it with some water to test its performance and functioning. Next, you should drain the water to see how it works. If you notice that water is not draining quickly, you should consider it a sign of a plumbing problem.
Clogged Drains
Does your kitchen sink contain trapped food particles or debris? You need to get the drainage system checked by a professional plumber. If you notice foam bubbles appearing from the sink, it is likely due to unclogged drains. You should consult a certified plumber to get the drains cleaned.
With the information mentioned above, you can detect any potential plumbing problems in your new home. If you haven't noticed any issues related to plumbing, you should still consider getting an inspection done by a professional plumbing company. By doing so, you can save yourself from uninvited troubles after moving in. Also, you can avoid the extra expenses that you may incur without getting your house inspected for plumbing problems.