Buying a Home with Good Plumbing
When you are looking for a new home, you are undoubtedly focused on the style, size, and price, all of which are important items. When you find a home you like, you cannot afford to take the plumbing for granted. If necessary, hire a company to perform an inspection just on the plumbing.
Lead Pipes
If the home you are looking at was built before 1986, it may contain lead pipes, a clear danger to your health, particularly if they are decaying.You do not want to purchase a home that has not had these pipes removed. In some instances, the home will not have lead pipes but will have solder that contains lead. Experts say the soldering is usually not an issue, but you may also want to have the water tested before you decide to buy a home that has this material.
Sewer Pipes
Investing in a thorough sewer-line inspection is well worth the price. You need to know if your home's connection to the main line is good, or if the home has a septic tank, you need to know if it is nearly full or whether it is functioning properly. You can arrange to have the lines inspected using a camera inserted into the pipes. If the lines are in bad shape, you can either pass on the sale or have the current owners pay for these potentially expensive and extensive repairs.
Water Conditions
Before you buy a house, you need to check out the water. If it tastes funny or has a distinct odor, your plumbing could be at fault. The pipes could be rusting, or your water may be "hard," particularly if the home gets water from a well. When the home's plumbing is inspected, the plumbing expert can determine if the water lines are to blame. If it's the water itself, you can get an estimate on a whole-house water softening and filtering system. If this addition is necessary to make the water palatable to you, the owners may spring for it or drop the price so that you can have it installed.
Do not skimp on inspections before you buy a home. You do need to have the plumbing thoroughly checked out since a poor system can cost you tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Living in a home with sub-standard plumbing is difficult and stress-inducing. Make certain that the water, fixtures, and sewers are all in top shape before you sign the papers.
For more information, talk to a plumber in your area or schedule a home plumbing inspection.
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