Buying a new home requires a heck of a lot of work! You have to set your price range, qualify for funding, narrow down your purchase options and schedule home inspections.
The pipes should also be inspected for width, which can give an indication of how strong the water pressure is likely to be throughout the home when several fixtures are in use together. And the central pipe that leads to the septic or sewer system (if any) should be digitally inspected via a remote camera for obstructions, leaks or clogs.
Inspect for Discolored Water.
If the water coming out of the fixtures has a visible color (instead of being entirely transparent) this could bring up the question of whether the water is safe to use or drink.
Different colors can indicate different issues. Here are some typical examples:
- Watercolors in the orange-red spectrum may indicate the presence of rust.
- Water with a green color may indicate algae growth.
- Water with a blue color may indicate a chemical leak.
- Water with a green-blue color may indicate the presence of copper or brass.
- Water with a black color may indicate mold growth.
There are varying degrees of health impact from the different colors that may be present in indoor water flowing through a home’s plumbing system. The key is to inspect the water carefully, so you know what you are dealing with.
Inspect for Dampness.
Along with leaks comes moisture, and along with dampness comes mold, fungi, and mildew. If the issue becomes severe enough, it can cause long-term health problems to the home’s occupants. It can also be very costly to remediate mold, fungi or mildew once it has taken root.
The inspector should visit every area of the home, including basements, crawl spaces, attics and the surrounding water main and sewer line areas outside. If areas of damp or leaks, pooled water or soggy structures are found, this is cause to inspect more carefully for mold. If an odor is present, it is even more likely mildew may have already begun to grow.
Inspect for Systemic Leaks.
Up to 14 percent of all water used in a household each month flows right out again due to the presence of leaks. The inspector should check carefully for the presence of hidden leaks that may be underneath the foundation or hidden in the walls where they are not easily detected.
If a sizable leak is detected, this can offer room to renegotiate the final home selling price.
Inspect for Overall Useful Life.
Finally, in some sense, a plumbing system is only as good as its oldest, weakest and most worn out component. For this reason, the overall goal of the plumbing inspection is always to determine how much useful life the existing plumbing system has in it.
By getting a sense of what is working well, what is in need of maintenance/repair, where problems may be brewing and what should be replaced soon (or now), you can decide if the home purchase price is fair.
To schedule a timely plumbing inspection in Central FL that just might save you a bundle, contact the plumbing experts at Ross Plumbing by phone at (352) 728-6053.