Buying a new home can be simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying. On the one hand, you may be significantly upgrading your living space, storage space, and even your quality of life. But on the other hand, you may be “signing your life away” to a money pit that will drain your finances and leave you feeling exhausted and regretful.
In many cases, a thorough walk-through of a home and even an inspection by a professional can help alleviate some of the biggest concerns and financial pitfalls that new homeowners can run into. Cracked and crumbling foundations, water damaged basements and ceilings, and patchwork, outdated, or even unsafe electrical wiring are all things that can be quickly spotted by a trained eye.
However, plumbing issues are less likely to be a forefront of concerns for potential home buyers and even home inspectors. Plumbing often takes a backseat to other more obvious issues, but buying a home with existing plumbing issues can be very expensive and very frustrating. After all, no one wants to live in a home that floods, has poor drainage, or has an unreliable water supply.
At Aqueduct Plumbing Company, we recommend that all potential home buyers check for these potential plumbing issues before ever signing on the dotted line:
Septic tank usage instead of sewer
It’s important to be aware of how the home you’re interested in disposes of household waste. If it’s hooked up to a septic tank, find out why and how old the unit is. Septic tanks must be replaced after a couple of decades, and you may be footing the bill for a very expensive replacement. And if the home is still using septic even though it’s near a municipal sewer system, it could be due to major plumbing issues.
Old or unreliable water heaters
Another major expense that could be lurking in the shadows is a home’s water heater. Most water heaters are designed to last around 10 years. Some homeowners hold onto them for much longer than they’re designed to be used, resulting in inconsistent water temperatures, occasional outages/loss of hot water, and even leaks and floods. In addition, it’s also important to make note of where the water heater is located. Is it in a safe part of the home, or would it cause catastrophic damage if it broke or leaked?
Lead pipes
Homes built before 1968 often have lead or galvanized plumbing. Lead is a highly toxic and damaging substance for humans, especially small children. Although your children may not come into direct contact with lead pipes, it can still affect them as water passes through your home’s pipes and carries small particles into water used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing.
Need Plumbing Assistance in Your Houston Home?
Call Aqueduct Plumbing Company.
Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or are looking to solve your existing plumbing issues once and for all, Aqueduct Plumbing Company is here to help. Call us today at (281) 488-6238 to request a plumbing quote or schedule an appointment.
