Whether you are purchasing an investment property or a place that's going to be your forever home you need to guarantee that the plumbing is fit for purpose before you purchase. Because if you sign the contract and take ownership of the home this is when any plumbing issues become your responsibility. While it is generally the seller’s responsibility to guarantee the property is working as it should, you need to check for specific issues. Any red flags that pop up before you assume ownership means you can fix these and you can have peace of mind. But what are the common plumbing issues to check when you are in the process of purchasing a property?
Blocked Drains
If you are exploring the property and you noticed any unpleasant odours coming from the sinks or drains this may be down to slow drainage. Blocked drains are very common in the bathroom and the kitchen due to hair clogging the shower drain and in the kitchen, food particles and saturated fats like oils can get stuck in the sink because they harden up. The best way to solve this problem is to consult Frankston plumber experts to help you deal with blocked drains. Blocked drains are an incredibly common issue but they can be solved easily.
Problems With the Hot Water Heater
Many hot water systems last around 10 years before requiring replacing. It is crucial to check with the owner of the property when this hot water system was installed. While 10 years is the general lifespan for a hot water system, it may last longer or even less than a full decade. There are approaches you can take to check if the water system needs replacing. You can examine the hot water system which is usually installed outside the property and take a note of the serial number. By looking for the information online, you can find out how old the system is. You should also check for some telltale signs such as ineffective water heating, a leaking tank, and even enquire about the utility bills. Excessively high bills can be one of the big signs that the hot water system needs changing.
Leaking Toilets And Dripping Faucets
These are some of the smaller problems that can highlight something much bigger. Many people don't think of a dripping faucet as a major issue. However, when you are purchasing a home you've got to be on the lookout for this sort of annoyance. Leaky faucets and toilets are pretty easy to fix when you consult Frankston plumber experts or most plumbers as they can get to the root of the problem pretty easily. But you have to think that if dripping faucets have been going on for a long time this can easily drive the water bill up. As a potential home buyer, it's a good idea to test every faucet in each room so you can check the quality of the water and the condition of the plumbing. You may discover there is a brown tinge in the water which may highlight rust in the pipes. Or if the plumbing makes a rattling or hammering sound, this could highlight a problem with the water pressure or connection issues in the plumbing. You also need to check the toilet properly and examine it for discolouration, leaks, and warping at the base, and should test the flush function to ensure there are no blockages.
Exterior Issues
It is not just about the inside of the property. The exterior plumbing is just as important. This includes sewage pipes, your water meter, and water transport pipes. One of the tell-tale signs that there is an issue with exterior plumbing is if the trees are looking healthy. If you have a very healthy garden this may very well mean that the trees have penetrated the sewer line by its roots. It's also worth sticking your nose out to check if there's any sitting water that gives off any unsavoury smells. This is a telltale sign that you need to get one of the Frankston plumber experts in. Checking the sewer lines is best left to a plumber. As plumbers can feed cameras into sewer lines, they are able to see the condition of the exterior plumbing. It's a good idea to get this done before signing on the dotted line because not only can damaged sewage piping cause frustration, it can also be an emergency that forces you out of your home for a period of time.
Undetected Leaks
Most people think that leaks are obvious, but in fact, it can take years for a little leak to build up to something potentially devastating to a property. Plumbers can detect leaks through walls and when you are looking to buy a property it's important to see if there are any specific signs of undetected leaks. You may notice a damp patch on a wall. Or there could be an unsavoury smell because an undetected leak can cause mould or mildew to grow. Plumbers can use thermal cameras to detect leaks and make these repairs. One of the most devastating aspects of any home is an undetected leak. It can mean the difference between getting your dream home and missing it by a narrow margin.
When purchasing a property, it's important not to just look at the aesthetic benefits. When we are looking to purchase our dream home or somewhere that we are going to rent out, we must remember that when we take an eagle-eyed view of proceedings we can mitigate potential mishaps. If we spot a problem with our plumbing this can add a significant amount of money to our bill. There are so many potential plumbing issues in any property that you really have to examine the place before you purchase. When we are in the process of buying our dream home we've got to examine the property for potential plumbing issues. Once we've done this and we are happy the property is ready to move into, we can enjoy living in our dream home or using our property to make a profit.
