Buying a new home is an exciting time that also comes with a variety of unknowns and new situations. If you haven’t owned a home before, you may not know what to check for in terms of potential issues within your home. One area that has the possibility for problems is plumbing. If you check for issues with your plumbing early on, you may have the ability to get them fixed under warranty or from the home seller. Checking your plumbing early and often also helps to make sure that you catch any issues before they become major disasters. Here are a few plumbing items to check for when you move into your new home:
Check the Faucets
Turn on all of the faucets in the home to check for leaks or drips. Check underneath the sinks and around seals to make sure there is no water leaking or standing.
Flush the Toilets
Flush the toilet in each bathroom to make sure they empty and refill correctly. Make sure there is no water leaking around the seal. Ensure the toilet shuts off correctly after refilling.
Turn on the Showers
Turn on the showers in all bathrooms to check water pressure and water temperature. Pay close attention to the shower farthest from the home’s water source. If the farthest shower has a decrease in water pressure or temperature, this may signal a problem.
Other Plumbing Items to Check
The items listed above are the main items to check within your home for a basic plumbing inspection. You may also want to inspect and locate the following in your home for future reference:
- Locate the water meter and main water shut-off valve.Knowing where the main water shut-off valve is essential if you ever encounter a plumbing leak. When the water is shut off there should be no water coming from any of the taps in the house.
- Understand the type of sewage system your home is connected to.Knowing whether you are connected to a municipal water system or a septic tank, as well as the ins and outs of using either, will be important if you should run into a plumbing problem. If you are connected to a septic tank you will want to do a further inspection to make sure the septic tank is installed properly and does not have any leaks or cracks.
- Inspect the home’s hot water heater.Make sure the hot water heater is in working order with no leaks and that it is appropriately sized for your family’s use and needs.
Taking the time to inspect your home and take care of plumbing issues before you move in will save you time and money down the road. If you need quality, professional plumbing repair contact D&D Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning.