Are You Buying A Home? Here’s A Plumber Checklist for You | Denton, TX
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When purchasing a new home, it’s essential to check everything, including the plumbing. Before signing a contract, we suggest that you hire a licensed plumber in Denton, TX, to help you thoroughly inspect the plumbing and point out if there might be issues that need to be addressed. If there are problems, ask the owner to resolve them for you first before closing the deal. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Essential Things to Consider When Buying a Home
You can’t move into a new home with poor plumbing, or you’ll end up with costly repairs or replacements down the road. It’s always best to ensure that everything is in excellent shape and that there are no potential problems that may lead to major plumbing emergencies. Below are the things you definitely must check before buying a home.
Water Leaks
When checking for leaks, don’t just look for puddles of water near the water heater or the sink. Check for any discolored areas in the walls or water spots in the ceiling. Look for the presence of moisture or mold in these areas. If possible, hire a plumber for a professional leak detection service. Home inspections are necessary, but we recommend that you also hire a licensed professional to thoroughly check your home’s plumbing. Also, don’t settle for anything less — it has to have an efficient plumbing system or you’ll only end up paying more for repairs.
Check the Drains
Ask the homeowner if they do professional drain cleaning. If possible, check if they could provide you with plumbing appointment receipts to ensure they do regular maintenance with their drains. Remember, slow or dirty drains can lead to numerous problems, including unpleasant smells in the kitchen, mold growth, unwanted pests, pipe and water damage.
You can also try asking for a copy of the drainage diagram, so you know where exactly the pipes are located. Ensure that it’s updated and show it to the plumber, especially when you intend to remodel your home. It’s important to run it over to a professional because the placement of the pipes can affect the plumbing system.
In the bathroom, don’t just stop with the drains. You might want to also examine the tiling work and if there’s moisture seeping through the tiles or loose tiles as that could indicate water leakage. Get help from a professional to help you with this.
Listen to Any Weird Noises Coming from the Pipes
Try to turn on the faucets and listen if there are strange noises from the pipes. Banging sounds could indicate a leak in the plumbing. Check with a licensed plumber so they can thoroughly check it for you.
Don’t forget to also check the toilet. Try to sit on it to check if it’s unstable or shaky. Contact a professional if you think there might be issues with the toilet.
If you want to check for toilet leaks, pour some food coloring into the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes before checking the toilet bowl. There is a leak when the water changes color. Contact the owner and ask if they could hire a licensed plumbing company in Denton, TX, to resolve the problem.
Don’t Forget the Water Quality
One of the things you need to do is turn on the faucet, let the water flow for about a minute, and check for any strange odor or color. For example, a brownish color could indicate corrosion in the pipes. A chlorine-like smell should be okay but ensure it isn’t too strong. If you’re not sure, consider calling a plumber in so that they can check it for you.
After checking the water quality, check if there is low or high water pressure. Low water pressure could be a sign of a leak in the plumbing, and high water pressure is also not good as that could severely strain the pipes. Ask the owner to contact a plumber to do a professional leak detection or buy a pressure regulator when the water pressure is too high.
In addition to the water quality and water pressure, check for the hard water levels in your potential home. It may not be ideal to have a high concentration of hard water as it won’t be good for the fixtures. We recommend you install a water softener should you decide to go for it and hire a licensed plumber for installation.
Check the Basement
If your potential home has a basement, you may want to check if a sump pump is installed. It’s also essential to check for moisture levels and any damp areas in the basement. Consider a home with a sump pump installed because the device can help prevent flooding.
Do They Have Energy-Efficient Appliances and Water-Efficient Fixtures?
You can save more money in the long run with energy-efficient washing machines and tankless water heaters. It would be great to also go with a home that has dual flush toilets and low flow showerheads to conserve more water. Check the bathtub too, and how big it is — remember, you’ll be wasting hundreds of gallons of water with a bigger tub.
Exceptional Plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas
Do you need a plumber in Denton, TX, to help you inspect your potential home? We’re here to help! Our professionals are licensed and highly skilled with plumbing inspections. We’ll know if the plumbing system is in good condition or not by doing some tests.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’re more than happy to quickly dispatch a technician to your location. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas has been helping out homeowners for several years, and we’re always very consistent with the top-notch services we provide. You can also call us if you need any plumbing repairs, maintenance, or installations. We can work with any make or model, and our team always works hard to delight all of our customers. So call us today for an appointment.
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