How To Evaluate The Plumbing Fixtures Of Your Potential House
How would you like to buy a house only to realize later that its plumbing is faulty? A thorough inspection can prevent you from experiencing such a nightmare. Here are some of the things to evaluate when inspecting your prospective house's plumbing system:
Water Pressure
Watch out for low water pressure; you don't want a situation where the bathroom faucets experience low water pressure when the kitchen taps are running. Turn off the taps and faucets, several at once, to gauge the strength of water flow. Possible causes of water pressure include the buildup of debris within the pipes, corrosion within the pipes, leaks, and malfunctions at the municipal water supply point. All the first three points show point for concern, though they are redeemable faults.
Flushing Efficiency
A properly flushing toilet is a basic need, so this is something you must test too. Here are some of the problems to watch out for:
- The toilet doesn't flash at all – This probably means that there is a malfunction in the flushing mechanism/lever.
- The toilet bowl flushes continuously – This usually happens if there is a leak or something is preventing the flapper from sealing the opening at the bottom of the tank.
- The bowl doesn't empty after flushing – The drainage is probably blocked.
Hot Water Speed
You should also try the showers to see how long it takes to get hot water. Waiting too long for hot water top reach the shower is a waste of money in terms of water wastage. In a large house, it's normal for hot water to take some time to reach the shower as it has to travel a long distance from the tank to the shower. If the hot water takes too long to reach the shower, then you will probably need to install a recirculation system or tankless water heater to stop wasting water/money if you end up purchasing the house.
Drainage Speed
Lastly, you also need to check the speed of the drains. Slow drains probably mean there is a blockage somewhere in the system. It may also mean that the vents are blocked; blocked vents reduce air pressure, which is necessary for the efficient flow of drains.
Some of the problems are things you can pick up on your own while others require the attention of a professional. Therefore, don't just rely on your cursory inspection; get a home inspector to do a professional job and scrutinize their report thoroughly.
For more information, talk to a real estate professional.