5 Plumbing Checks You Should Make in a New Home

When deciding to purchase a new home, one of the most crucial inspections is of the plumbing system. Check the water works in the bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Examine the sinks, toilets, and showers to see if the drainage system is working properly and listen for noise in the pipes. Loud banging is a sign that the pipes may break soon. You might even need to call in for residential plumbing services before moving in.

A burst pipe or a clogged sewer is a major problem. If the home has a basement, check for the drainage system to avoid possible floods in the house. Don’t forget to examine the sewer line too, as any leaks or potential clogs can affect your entire plumbing system or even the foundation of the home.

While you can conduct these checks yourself, having the plumbing system checked by a professional, especially when you’re thinking of investing in a new home. This guarantees that you don’t miss anything and mistakenly pay full price for damaged plumbing. 

Here’s a short list of the things you should have a plumber look at before you sign the deed to your new home.

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  Water Stains and Leaks

One of the easiest checks to do when considering a new home is to check the faucets, showers, and toilets for leaks. Such leaks may seem like a minor annoyance at the time, but they waste clean water and can increase your water bill.

To check for water leaks, look at exposed pipes for dripping water. Turn on and off all taps in the house and flush every toilet.

However, just because you don’t see obvious water leaks doesn’t mean the plumbing is working perfectly. You should also watch out for water stains on the ceiling or the walls. Water stains are an indication of leaky pipes and may cause damage to the structure of the home. 

The pipe itself may not be too costly to repair, but water leaks may cause mold and mildew to form on walls, ceilings, and furniture. Issues with these fixtures may cost a fortune to repair.

• Sewer Lines

The sewer line is not visible to anyone visiting a new home, but a plumber should have the equipment to conduct a thorough inspection of the sewer line. If they have a CCTV camera that they can use for sewer inspection, that’s ideal because they can check for root infestations or potential trench backfill issues.

Root infestations are more common to developments in older neighborhoods. There may be large trees around or near the property you are eyeing, and their roots will find ways to reach the water inside your sewer pipes. When the pressure on the pipes becomes too much, they may burst, causing major damage.

Meanwhile, trench backfill problems are more common to developments in newer neighborhoods. When the foundation is not properly backfilled during construction, the backfill could settle onto the pipe, causing undue pressure which may crack or break the pipe and cause the soils to enter the sewer line, resulting in a major clog.

• Water Heaters

Water heaters are an essential element of modern living. They usually last a good decade if well maintained. But they can cause problems when they leak. That’s why you should pay attention to where they are located. They shouldn’t be where potential leaks can cause a lot of damage. If they are, you have them relocated.

Also, you want to have a professional plumber take a look at the water heater to determine whether it is working properly for what you plan to use it for. You don’t want to have an undersized heater fueling a huge volume of water, as this will cost more in terms of energy and may overwork and break the water heater.

You also want the plumber to examine the tank itself to check for rusting and possible leaks in the outlet or inlet valves. You should also be on the lookout for strange noises in the tank and for muddy water coming from the tap from the water heater, as these are also indications of damage which might mean you need to get the water heater repaired or replaced.

• Pipe Buildup

Another important inspection needed for new homes is for pipe build up. Though everything may seem to work perfectly in the house, you still want to have a plumber check the pipes with a CCTV camera. This can show you the condition of the pipes and if there is buildup for whatever reason.

Pipe build up may be due to many things. It can be due to hard water, which is damaging to pipes over time. If you do have hard water, this can bring down the price of the home because the buildup can result in clogs and low water pressure.

Other causes for pipe buildup include soap, grease, roots, hair, and foreign objects that somehow got flushed down the drain. Though buildup from such causes are not structural issues, you want to know if there’s buildup in your pipes, as these may indicate possible clogs in the near future. And if you’ve detected them, it’s good to have the pipes cleaned via pressure washing sooner rather than later to prevent clogs.

• Winterized Pipes

If a new home is located in a place with a winter climate, you want to make sure its plumbing system is built to survive severe temperatures and weather conditions.

The pipes have to be winterized. That means they have to be wrapped and insulated. And if you have a tank or water well, these should also have protection from the freezing cold.

Don’t wait for winter to come before you act. Doing so may result in leaks and breaks, which will result in costly damage to your new home. 

Hire Our Professional Residential Plumbing Services

Are you eyeing a new home? Don’t make that purchase without first hiring residential plumbing services to check the waterworks!

Though you can perform some plumbing checks yourself, checking pipes and sewer lines will require equipment and experience to conduct. Our team is here to address your concerns and provide the professional plumbing services that you deserve.

If you’ve already moved into your new home but are having trouble with your plumbing system, don’t wait and call Bobby Blue Plumbing now to hire an emergency plumber.