Purchasing a new home can be an exciting time for many individuals and their families. While a new home can be a rewarding experience for many people, it’s important to research a home before making any significant financial decisions. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks for researching a plumbing system in a home.
Older plumbing systems should be inspected by a professional home inspection service. In many cases, homes built before the 1980s may have lead soldering in their plumbing systems. While most plumbing systems manufactured in the past 100 years use copper or PVC, the material that is used to join pipes will often contain trace level of lead.
It’s also important to check a home’s water source before purchase. While a municipal water source is treated for a variety of contaminants, well water may contain some hazardous substances. For example, well water can contain heavy metals, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides and other dangerous chemicals. It’s a good idea to have well water tested before making a home purchase. Well water can also detect a high concentration of dissolved minerals.
Hard water is often caused by a high concentration of dissolved minerals. While municipal water sources are treated with water softening agents, a private well may have unresolved issues with hard water. Over time, hard water Sammamish plumber can cause scaling in the plumbing of a home. This can cause reduced water pressure, clogging and other plumbing issues. It’s a good idea to have the water flow rate tested for all fixtures in a home.
It’s also important to check the septic system of a home before purchase. A municipal septic system will usually require minimal inspection. A private septic tank and field drain will require some inspection. Most septic tanks will require emptying every 10 years. The flushing of inappropriate items like condoms may reduce the service life of a septic system.
One should also inspect a home’s water heater. A gas water heater should be checked for cracks, poor maintenance, rust and other issues that can cause problems in the future. An electric water heater should be checked for corrosion.
Buying a new home can be a challenging time for many people. While it can be tempting to skip on a proper home inspection, undiscovered problems can cause significant financial issues in the future. Contact a professional home inspection service or contact a local for more information on inspections.