BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME
Before you buy or sell a home it is imperative to hire a professional plumber to inspect the home.
Buying or selling your home is a major finical decision. So nothing should be overlooked when deciding if you have found the right home for your family. Or your house isn’t going to have an issues selling. With all the factors you’re juggling, it might not occur to you to have your plumbing inspected.
The plumbing of your home should be a deciding factor in your choice. Everything about your home or potential home could look fine on the surface, only to discover upon moving in that the plumbing is one blocked drain away from collapsing.
Having a professional plumber perform a plumbing inspection of your home plumbing system, will help you bring up problems with your realtor before you make your purchase or sell.
Don’t be afraid to have a plumber inspect your home before you make a purchase.
During a plumbing inspection, a plumber will confirm that everything is safe, legal, and installed by licensed professionals.
A Plumbing Inspection will include:
INSPECT FOR LEAKS
During the inspection, your plumber will make sure that your shower, dishwasher, sinks, faucets, tub, and toilet are not leaking.
Small leaks increase your water bill and can cause much bigger problems.
CHECK PIPES
By checking the size of your pipes, a plumber can determine the water pressure of your home. For good water pressure, the pipes should be at least ½” in diameter and the lines should be ¾” to 1 inch from the main source of water.
If the home was built before 1986, a plumber will also check to see if it has lead pipes. As we know now, lead is an environmental toxin and you may not want to live in a home that has lead pipes.
WATER HEATER
A plumber can determine where your water heater is located, its capabilities, and its age. If the home water heater is in need of repair or replacement, you may be able to knock money off the asking price. You can also request that a new one is installed before you move in.
A plumber will also inspect the emergency water shut-off, drain valve, thermostat, gas/electric connections, temperature, and pressure relief valve, temperature setting, gas thermocouple, emergency gas shut-off, and flue pipe. The water heater plays an important role in your home, and having it unexpectedly break down is not only inconvenient but also expensive.
SEWAGE SYSTEM AND EXPOSED PIPES
A visual inspection of your pipes will reveal if there are any changes that need to be made before you move in. A plumber can also help you determine whether there is a septic tank installed on the property or if your waste goes to a municipal sewer system.
If there is a septic tank, your plumber can determine if there are any problems with it as well as where it is located, what pipes lead to it and when it was last serviced. A broken septic tank is an expensive problem that you can avoid by making sure it’s in good working order before you buy.
Make sure that you are properly informed on all areas of your potential home before you buy. A plumbing inspection can help you make the right choice and familiarize you with your plumbing for later on if something goes wrong.
FINDING SLAB LEAKS
One area that rarely gets looked at in a new home inspection is above or below the slab, where the major concern relates to leaks that could literally be draining the home of its value.
While there are clear signs of what actually constitutes a slab leak, someone purchasing a home may be unaware of them. Those signs include such things as: water pressure that’s far below normal; a monthly water bill that surges; mysterious moist spots that develop on the floor or one that’s either warm or hot; water that can be heard running despite none being used; and floors that begin cracking
DETECTING DRAIN ISSUES
Regarding other options, a frustrating issue for a homeowner can develop when a drain line becomes clogged for whatever reason. While certain consumer products can handle basic issues that develop from time to time, there are a number of instances where a call for professionals to handle the job is the only answer.
Those more serious cases relate to sewer problems that again may be due to shifting ground or poorly-conceived installation. More specific reasoning might relate to pipes that are either made of clay tile or old cast iron, bellies in the line or roots from nearby trees that have found their way into this area.
Contact Veteran Plumbing Services
703.791.1339
info@veteranplumbing.us