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Do you inspect a property’s plumbing system before making a purchase? With its serene and scenic environments, Lighthouse Point, FL, is among the suburbs that most would like to live in. With a medium house value of over $1 million, those planning to purchase property in this suburb must be ready to part ways with a huge chunk of their savings account.
Because the investments are massive, you cannot risk purchasing a home with serious plumbing issues. Therefore, look deeper and scratch the surface to locate problems that will cost you an arm and a leg to repair. A professional inspection by a licensed and experienced plumber comes in at this point. The plumbing technician helps you identify the issues; you will call a plumbing service and spend a fortune on the plumbing repair or maintenance if you don’t notice. Below are the most popular plumbing inspections to carry out before you purchase a home.
Inspecting the Pipes
Damaged or corroded piping is a plumbing nightmare waiting to happen. It could lead to larger and more expensive repairs in the future. Prevent such occurrences by hiring a licensed and experienced plumber to perform a thorough pipeline inspection.
The inspection entails searching for signs that the piping system is damaged. For example, are you purchasing an older home built before the 1980s? The house may have toxic lead pipes that are damage-prone. You’ll need a professional appraisal and replacement cost estimate in such a case.
Once the plumber has determined the amount, you can negotiate with the realtor to deduct it from the purchase price. Another aspect of piping inspection is measuring the diameters of the pipes, particularly those near the water sources.
Make sure their diameters are at least 0.75′′-1′′, while the other pipes running through your home should be at least 0.5′′ in diameter. Smaller dimensions can restrict the flow of water and cause serious problems.
Inspecting the Faucets
Turn on the faucets inside the home to check whether they drip or leak under the sinks. Additionally, check the hot water for suitable temperature and water flow even if other water systems are used.
The water pressure in the faucets may be low at times. It implies that the home may have more significant problems hidden behind its walls or beneath the foundation. A licensed plumbing company will inspect and locate the water sources using cutting-edge technology such as leak detection and video cameras devices.
Inspecting the Septic Tank and the Sewer Lines
Blockages in the septic tank and sewer line can result in costly repairs and health issues. So, before purchasing a home, double-check the water disposal system and inspect the sewer lines. Check whether the home has a septic tank or wastewater flows into the municipal lines.
Check the condition, location, and capacity of the septic tank, if there is one. Ask when the septic tank or sewer line was last serviced and allow the professionals to handle the rest. Because replacing a sewer line may cost thousands of dollars, finding and inspecting them before you close the sale makes sense.
Fortunately, inspecting them isn’t expensive. The plumbers use pipe inspection cameras to inspect the sewer line to check whether there are underlying problems like:
- Foul smells or standing water
- Pesky tree roots that have found a home within the sewer lines
- Shearing foundation walls on the newer homes, causing piping drops and blocks.
Examine the Drains
Clogged and blocked drains can be a nuisance and an unavoidable occurrence in every home. It could be a minor obstruction or a complete clog that requires the drains to be disassembled or replaced. The problem with the drains is that they are buried beneath the surface, making them difficult to inspect. However, you would expect clean and unclogged drains before purchasing a home. A professional inspection conducted by a specialized and licensed plumber might uncover and resolve such a problem before signing the ownership documents and making the payments.
Inspect the Sump Pumps
Most homes have a basement used for lounging, entertainment, or additional living space. Does your future home have one? Consider inspecting it. Sump pumps come in handy if the basement is flooded. They pump the excessive water outside your basement, removing the flooding. However, a faulty or malfunctioning sump pump will complicate the problem. As a result, request that your plumber inspect the new home’s entire drainage system buried underground. If you don’t have a sump pump, you should buy one before the storm season arrives.
Inspecting the Exterior Plumbing
Outside pipelines are also included in a plumbing inspection. Your plumber will be able to inspect the spigots, sprinklers, and other plumbing connections in your backyard. Look for leaks in the line cracks and the exterior hose spigots, as well as loose joints on the lawn sprinkler system, during this plumbing inspection.
A professional inspection will also include a check of the pipelines that bring the city or municipal water to your home. Other necessary inspections to ensure proper functioning include the shut-off valve and the water meter. Close the shut-off valve and open the faucets to check whether they’ll dispense water. When you see the water come out, that is a sign of pipeline leakage.
Water Heater Inspection
A water heater is unquestionably an essential appliance in your Lighthouse Point, FL home. When purchasing a new home, you can prevent unpleasant surprises by inspecting the home’s water heater for type and range ahead of time.
To begin with, the plumber examines the type of water heater installed in that home and checks its capacity. Then, they inspect the water connections and pipelines leading from and to the water heater. If they notice signs of leakage and corrosion, they recommend a replacement. Additionally, check the places around your water heater to see whether cluttering restricts access.
Check the amount of time it takes for the unit to heat the water adequately. The plumber also inspects the water heater for the accumulation of sediments that might affect the entire hot water supply and impact the water heater’s efficiency.
Reliable Plumbers in Lighthouse Point, FL
Purchasing a home doesn’t come cheap. Therefore, it could be stressful to notice you bought a house with a malfunctioning or damaged plumbing system. At mainline plumbing, we advise prospective homeowners to inspect the plumbing system of their future home before signing the documents or paying for the property. For quality and professional inspections, call us at MainLine Plumbing today.