Learning how to Inspect the Plumbing at Home

When buying a new home, it is wise to have the entire structure inspected, including the plumbing before you close the deal.

You can also inspect the plumbing system yourself if you know what to look for. However never take everything at face value, especially when it comes to a major purchase like a home. 

How to do your own plumbing Inspection?

If buying a property schedule an appointment with the owner or the real estate agent that is showing the home, and come prepared. Be sure to wear clothing that you don't mind getting dirty and bring a good flashlight with you.

Don't feel pressured not to fully inspect the home many potential buyers are cautious to "ruffle any feathers", especially if they have fallen in love with the property. A reputable seller or agent will not mind you pushing your nose around (unless they have something to hide) and would naturally want to disclose the accuracy of the home's state of repair or disrepair. 

           Let's take a look at how you can inspect the home you are interested in:

Locate the Water Meter and check if the shut off valve to the home's water supply is in working properly. If the home is equipped with good water, the shut off valve will be located inside the home, usually under the kitchen sink but is often found elsewhere. When you shut the water off using the shut off valve, there should be no water coming out when you turn the taps on in the kitchen, bathrooms, or other areas.

Find out if there are any Lead Pipes in the home. Homes that were built prior to 1986 often have lead or galvanized plumbing. Lead, as you know, no matter how useful, is an environmental toxin (note the need for unleaded gasoline and paint in homes that is not lead based). If you have children, you may not want to live in a home that has lead pipes.

Determine the size of the water pipes in the home and around the home - they will help to determine the water pressure that you'll have. For water pressure to be adequate, the lines should be ¾" to one inch directly from the main water source for the home. The pipes themselves should be at least a ½" in diameter to provide adequate flow.

Inspect the home's Hot Water Heater. You will be looking to see if it is big enough to accommodate your needs (a family of four should have at least a 40 gallon tank), where it is located, and the water heater's age. Check to see if there is a buildup of mineral deposits in the tank, if possible. Mineral deposits can settle on the tank's bottom, leaving less room for water - which will mean that less water will be heated and available for use. Also, corrosion of the tank's elements can cause the tank to have a short life. If the water heater is old or you see obvious signs of corrosion, request that a new one be installed.

Make sure that the plumbing throughout the home is prepared for freezing weather by having pipes wrapped. (For cold weather zones) The vents throughout the home should be the type that can be closed off in the winter time during periods of intense cold. For homes with wells, the well should be protected in some fashion from bitter cold as well.

Determine the type of Sewage System the home has, whether waste goes to a municipal sewer system, or if there is a septic tank installed. If the home has a septic tank, find out where it is installed on the property, how much the tank holds, and where the lines to the septic tank are located.

Ideally, you want a map with the paperwork that comes with your home that shows where the Tank and all lines to the tank are located. Also, ask the owner or seller when the tank was last emptied or serviced. Look for signs of seepage around the area where the tank is located, or for standing water or noticeable odors - all of which are signs of a problem with the septic. Septic tanks can be very expensive to replace or repair - so if there is a problem, demand that it is fixed prior to closing the deal.

Inside the Home

Inside the home, check the Kitchen Faucets and bathroom faucets for leaks or drips. Check underneath sinks to check for leaking pipes. Flush the toilet in each bathroom. They should empty and then refill correctly. Turn on the shower in the room farthest from the home's water source. Check the temperature of the water and the water pressure.

While many homes come with a home warranty that will cover the various systems within the home for a specific period, you can still be out of pocket if the plumbing system is in disrepair and your home becomes damaged as a result.

If you are a bit handy and have the time to do repair work yourself, you can also use the results from your home plumbing inspection to negotiate a lower price on the home to accommodate for the supplies and labor involved in correcting any problem points.

However, we invite you to become part of The Ben Franklin Society of the Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach, as a member you receive a professional safety inspection, leak check and water heater tune-up for your plumbing system annually, breakdown-free guarantee and premier client rewards. You also get a 15% discount on repairs and replacements.

Our professional team and our highly skilled plumbers are expertly trained and experienced to exceed your expectations. For your Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach emergency plumbing needs contact our emergency plumbers, Ben Franklin Plumbing. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to solve all your plumbing problems at your convenience. you can also visit us online at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/wp/maintenance-service-plans/ for all your plumbing needs.

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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What to do if your Water Heater is Leaking?

A water heater leak may seem like just a minor issue, but if you don’t get this problem fixed in a short time, a water heater failure can cause a significant flood in your house. This can also lead to weighty repair bills, and cause mold to sprout, which can be hazardous to your health as well as lead to even more damage to your property.

Hot water heaters, whether gas or electric, will last you about 10 – 12 years (depending on how good you take care if it). Even so, there’s always a chance your water heater could leak.

Water heaters will typically leak from one of two places. Depending on where the leak is located, you may or may not need a new water heater.  Take a few minutes to determine where the leak is actually coming from, and you may be able to fix the leak yourself with little or no cost. 

Where to Start?

Step 1: The first thing you have to do before starting work on the water heater, is to turn off the power and the gas, and shut off the water to the heater to avoid possible shock or burns.

Step 2: When you have completed the previous steps, you have to drain the water tank. To do this, you have to let the water flow through a hose until the tank is empty. The water should run outdoors, or to a large bucket (it’s not recommended that you empty the water inside of your house).

*Caution: Remember that the water exiting the water heater will be very hot!

Step 3: Identify the leak’s location:  Sometimes the location of the leak is obvious, but a pool of water can also show up some distance from where the leak occurs.  Once you experience a leak from your water heater, there are two places where the leak may come from:

1. The drain valve also called (Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve), which is the spigot at the bottom of the tank that drains the water.

2. The water heater’s tank: The leak may even be at the top of the water heater, and simply running down through the body of the heater before escaping at a lower level. Water heaters have limited life spans; it’s possible that your tank has become corroded. 

If there is a puddle close to your water heater, condensation could be an explanation too. Condensation occurs when most of the water inside the tank is cold, so the cold tank, reacting with the warmer air inside the home, causes condensation. The water then drips off the tank and onto the floor, which gives the false appearance of a leaking tank. 

Step 4: Repairing or replacing the tank: As stated above, water heater leaks can be a serious problem, so take action quickly! 

If the leak comes from the drain valve, you have to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. If this does not solve the problem, there could be another problem that requires a professional plumber to repair.

Replacement valves for hot water heaters are available at most hardware stores, and can be replaced using only a wrench. Turn the existing valve counter clockwise to remove it. Wrap the threads of the replacement drain valve with plumber’s tape, and then screw the new valve into the opening until it is hand tight.

If the water heater is leaking from the tank itself, you certainly have to contact a licensed plumber to replace it, because there is no way to repair a leaking tank. The inside of the tank eventually corrodes from mineral deposits and from the constant strain of heating and cooling. 

If you choose to replace your water heater yourself, you will need to properly dispose of the old unit, but either way, the best advice is to call a professional plumber. 

How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Water Heater

To avoid these kinds of problems, which can happen to all of us, the following practices can help extend the life of your hot water tank, as well as keep it operating at its maximum efficiency.

• Drain the tank yearly.

• Replace the anode rod that is inside the tank every 6 months or so.

Any time your hot water heater’s tank begins leaking, the safest thing to do is call a professional plumber who can assess the problem and determine if you need to replace your water heater. Do you live in the Treasure Coast Area?

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of the Treasure Coast and Palm City can repair or replace your water heater, and help you choose a new one that’s right for your family’s needs.

Be sure and check out the current rebates for tankless water heaters.

Contact us here:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080.

MARTIN (772) 214-3848.

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007.

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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