Imagine you’ve finally discovered the house of your dreams. It has a beautiful kitchen, a spacious living room, and all of the other features that you desired in your new home. However, while everything might appear perfect to the naked eye, don’t forget to look past the surface and check out the plumbing. Here are many of the most common plumbing issues you don’t want to discover after investing in a new home.
Low Water Pressure
One common issue that many homeowners run into is low water pressure. Low water pressure can result from various issues, including clogs in the pipes and sediment buildup at the bottom of the faucets or showerheads. If you suspect this might be causing your problems, try turning down any running faucet to see if it makes a difference. You can also investigate your plumbing system by opening up the spout and turning on a hose to see if it flows freely.
Problems With Hot Water
If you notice that the hot water isn’t as hot as you’d like it to be, or if it gets colder after a while of running, there might be sediment buildup in the pipes. A lack of hot water often is caused by scale from hard water accumulating over time and blocking up the flow of heated water to fixtures like showers. In some cases, you might be able to take steps to fix the problem yourself, while in other cases, you could require the assistance of a professional plumber to install a new water heater.
Rattling Pipes
If you notice there’s a rattling noise coming from your pipes, the reason could result from the accumulation of sediment settling in the interior of the lines. It usually requires an experienced plumber to remove this sediment and clean out any clogs for water flow to return smoothly.
Plumbing Leaks
Among the most common and problematic plumbing issues is leaking pipes. Leaks from pipes or drains can go unnoticed for years, but they will cause significant home damage over time and cost you more in repairs later on when it becomes a much bigger issue. To find out if there are any potential leaks, check your water meter after a couple of hours have passed. If it has increased significantly, this could indicate a leak somewhere in the home.
Old Pipes
Another common and dangerous plumbing problem is old, corroded pipes. These can cause significant problems in your home due to their age and vulnerability to breaking under pressure. When checking the piping of a potential new house, be sure that it’s copper or PVC – not galvanized steel!
Outdated Sewer Pipes
Old sewer lines are also an issue you should check out before buying a new home. Keep in mind that houses with clay sewer lines don’t last forever – they can crack, break or even collapse over time. As with old pipes, outdated sewer lines will cause significant problems due to their age and vulnerability to breaking under pressure. Other factors, such as tree roots, can also cause sewer lines to break.
If you suspect that any of these plumbing issues plague your home, consulting with a plumber with the tools, skills, and plumbing supplies to fix the problem helps ensure the water in your home is sanitary, safe, and ready to use whenever needed.