Before purchasing a new home, it is prudent to have an independent building inspection carried out to ensure that it is in good structural condition. However, some home buyers may choose to skip having a professional inspection done in an attempt to keep their costs low. Although this may seem economical, you could be exposing yourself to a range of potential risks once you move in. Thus, if you are not having a professional carry out the inspection for you, then you should familiarise yourself with what to take note of before putting your money down. Here are some of the signs to be wary of that can indicate potential plumbing issues.
Faucets that are sputtering
One of the first things to check when buying a new home is whether the water is running through the taps. When opening the valves, be on the lookout for any sputtering from the faucets. Occasional sputtering would be considered normal in a residence, as it just indicates the presence of air in your plumbing system. However, if you find that all of the hot water faucets are sputtering, it could be indicative of problems with the water heater. It would be in your best interests to have the water heater inspected by a plumber and ensure that it is repaired.
Walls that are stained
If you notice staining on the walls of your potential new home, do not make the mistake of assuming that it is merely due to the paint ageing. Stains manifesting on the ceiling and the walls tend to come about due to an undetected leak in the plumbing. In some cases, you may be fortunate enough to find that the stains stemmed from a previous plumbing problem that has been remedied. Nevertheless, to ascertain this, you would still have to get a plumbing inspection to determine if the piping is in good condition or not. When checking for stains, be on the lookout or any signs of peeling paint that has been covered up as this could also indicate leaks in the home.
Water pressure that is diminishing
As you carry out your inspection of your new home's plumbing system, take the time to open all the faucets in the house at full capacity. This measure is often forgotten by potential homeowners, only for them to later start to realise there is a water pressure issue. Diminishing water pressure could be caused by various problems, with the most common culprit being the formation of clogs within the plumbing pipes. Low pressure could also indicate that there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing.
Contact a plumber for more info.
