Don’t be afraid to have a plumber inspect your home before you make a purchase. A reputable seller won’t mind you being informed about the property and should encourage you to find out as much as you can.
During a plumbing inspection, a plumber will confirm that everything is safe, legal, and installed including:
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 needs repair or replacement, you may be able to knock money off the asking price. You can also request that a new one be 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 any changes 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.
Inspections Don’t Find Everything
Arguably, the most important in this category would be a plumbing inspection. That’s because the potential hazards that could manifest themselves once the move has been completed could be extremely costly. It’s not inconceivable to consider the possibility that failure to take care of these issues could eventually make the home uninhabitable.
However, such concerns can be alleviated by employing the services of Chrome Air Conditioning, which performs such tests regularly and is well-versed in all the nuances that make up a plumbing system. Led by licensed professionals.
The plumbing inspection tests that we conduct are much more thorough than the standard ones that every home receives before purchase, which can often miss out on key trouble areas.
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 be draining the home of its value.
While there are clear signs of what 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.
The different causes for this trouble relate to pipe corrosion, poor installation of the plumbing, and a shifting foundation. In the latter case, this is a geographical reality when living in North Texas. These leaks will often take place on either sewer or water lines that lie directly below the home.
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Detecting Drain Issues
Regarding other options, a frustrating issue for a homeowner can develop when a sewer drain line becomes clogged for whatever reason. While certain consumer products can handle basic issues that develop from time to time, there are several 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 be related to pipes 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.
This is also an area where Chrome Air Conditioning has the expertise to make a clear detection of the problem. By using an in-line camera to look at the affected area, we can see exactly what the problem is, eliminating any guesswork.
Money Well Spent
In some cases, the damage done may already make potential plumbing repairs beyond the scope of what someone wants to pay. So that investment made in either plumbing inspection offered by Chrome Air Conditioning could help someone thinking of purchasing a home avoid becoming saddled with a money pit.
Therefore, when a new home inspection is needed, make sure to trust the experienced personnel here at Chrome Air Conditioning. They’ve been a fixture in the North Dallas community for more than two decades and are ready to assist with any plumbing needs or concerns. Contact us with any questions you may have or to schedule your inspection today.
Do I need a plumbing inspection before bidding on a home for sale?
It depends on the age of the home. Older homes tend to have more problems, and it’s less likely that the regular inspection report will include a full plumbing inspection. This is because inspectors only check the readily visible parts of the house, while a complete camera inspection is necessary to determine if there are any plumbing problems. Some common plumbing problems in older homes include tree roots in the drainage system, damaged sewer pipes underground, and leaking pipes inside the walls.
If the home is older than ten years old, it is worth it to pay for an inspection from a licensed plumber. This way, if any issues are found, you can negotiate a lower price for the home to cover the cost of any necessary plumbing repairs.