Plumbing Issues to Look for When Buying a New Home

If you are contemplating buying a new home, you may be looking at many houses, trying to find the right fit for you and your family. When you narrow it down to a few that have the right attributes you are looking for, it is important to check for any hidden problems. Plumbing issues are often not apparent, especially during typical walk-throughs and even inspections. Here are a few things you can check to identify any possible problems.

Check the Fixtures

When looking at the kitchen and bathrooms, go beyond looking at the features and use the fixtures. Run water in the sinks, flush the toilets and turn on the shower. Watch for any drips or leaks when using these fixtures; it may not be a deal-breaker, but it is good to know if they have been maintained.

Look for Leaks

Keep an eye out for brown or water stains on ceilings or walls. This could indicate a plumbing leak that has occurred, which could also mean mold and other damage you cannot see. Look under the sinks and check for any signs of leaks.

Check the Drains

When you check the fixtures, use enough water to check how quickly the sinks and showers drain. Slow drains can be an indication of a clog, or even bigger issues in the main sewer lines.

If you do notice any problems with the plumbing, it may be worthwhile to hire a plumber for a more thorough inspection. It is better to know ahead of time if anything will need repair; you may be able to have the seller fix these issues as a condition of your sale or negotiate a lower price to encompass the needed plumbing repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Using Your Meter To Check For Water Leaks

Your water meter can be a useful tool for determining whether you have a water leak in your home.  Whether your water bills have been unusually high, you have notices a wet spot in the yard, or you just want to check to be sure that you do not have any hidden water leaks in your home, the meter is a great place to start.

First you will need to locate the water meter.  In most homes, the water meter is located in a box in the ground near the street in front of the house.  Sometimes the meter is in the yard or it can even be next to the house.

Once you have found the water meter, turn off all of the water using systems in your home such as the ice maker, automatic spa or pool filling devices, and your irrigation system.  Next, on the face of the meter, mark the position of the pointer or “sweep hand”.  Wait 30 to 40 minutes without using any water in your home and check the meter again.  If the sweep hand has moved, then water has been flowing through the meter and there is a leak somewhere in your system.

If your home is equipped with a water shutoff valve, the next step is to turn off the water shut off valve.  Repeat the process for checking the meter for movement of the sweep hand.  If the hand still moves indicating that water is flowing through the meter, the leak is located somewhere in the water service line between the meter and you home.  If the meter does not show any water movement, then the leak is somewhere in your home.  It could be a leaky toilet flapper valve, in your irrigation system, or in a water pipe inside your home.  Wherever the leak is located, you will need to call a water line plumber to repair the leak.