Common Plumbing Problems During Home Inspections

Plumbers offer a wide range of services including repairing burst/damaged pipes and unblocking clogged sewage lines. This ensures plumbing problems do not inconvenience homeowners or compromise the structural integrity of their properties. As such, it is wise to hire a professional plumber to inspect your home's plumbing periodically. Below are some of the reasons why you should hire a licensed plumber to perform inspections and professional plumbing services Emmaus PA when buying/selling a house.

Clogged Sewer Line issues

A clogged sewer line can cause raw sewage to back up into your home. Luckily, a professional plumber can resolve these issues by inspecting your home's septic system. They can listen for gurgling sounds emanating from toilet drainpipes. They can also look for signs of water backing up after flushing a toilet. A plumber can also use dual segment analysis technology (DSA) to identify sewer line blockages. In cases where tree roots have punctured sewer lines and caused blockage, a plumber can replace the damaged part.

Water Heater Issues

A plumber can diagnose and resolve plumbing issues related to your water heater. They can identify sediment buildup, rusting water pipes, and a malfunctioning thermostat. This also includes an examination of:

•  pressure relief valves
• anode rods, drain valves
• dip tubes

They check the water heater thermocouple and thermostat of the property you want to buy or sell. Water heater problems generally vary depending on the type of water heater installed (gas or electric). For instance, a clogged vent pipe may restrict airflow in a gas water heater, thereby preventing proper heating of water.

Diagnose Undetected Leaks

According to data published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American households lose more than one trillion gallons of water annually through water leaks. In addition, about 10% of US homes lose more than 90 gallons of water per day due to the same problem. A professional plumber can accurately identify a water leak by using sophisticated tools like:

• ground microphones
• acoustical detectors
• leak correlators
• hydrogen tracer gas equipment
• pipe location tools

Moreover, the plumber would physically examine the plumbing system of the house you intend to buy or sell to identify the exact location of a water leak.

Replace Galvanized Pipes

Most homes built before the 1960s have galvanized pipes that should be replaced. These pipes have a protective zinc layer that degrades over time causing the pipes to leach lead into water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who consume such water could develop health complications such as:

• anemia
• kidney damage
• abdominal pain
• brain damage
• depression
• constipation
• heart disease
• reduced fertility
• high blood pressure

When buying/selling a house, you should hire a professional plumber to identify the pipes that need to be replaced and replace them.

 

Cross Connection Problems

This problem occurs when water piping connects to other plumbing fixtures internally or externally. When improperly fixed, cross connections can allow reverse flow of contaminants into your home's water piping system. Since backflow can occur when firefighters use large quantities of water, a plumber can install a cutout system that isolates the water distribution system whenever water pressure rises or falls below a pre-determined range.

Conclusion

When buying or selling a house, you perform a plumbing inspection. In other words, you should hire a professional plumber to diagnose and fix issues related to blocked sewer lines, undetected water leaks, cross connection in your home's plumbing system, galvanized pipes, and water heating system.

Professional Plumbing Services Emmaus PA

It is important to know what to look for when you are buying or selling a home. Many people have made the mistake of purchasing a home and shortly after, they have found that they have an extremely expensive plumbing problem on their hands. This is avoidable with the help of a competent plumber who will be able to spot these types of issues before you purchase or sell a home. When you need a reliable plumbing company, contact Robinson Plumbing. Our experienced and skilled certified plumbers will be able to thoroughly inspect your plumbing system and give you educated and knowledgeable suggestions about the health of your plumbing system. We are a local, family owned company that is known for trusted, high quality service. We service Alburtis PA 18011, Allentown PA 18101, Center Valley PA 18034, Coopersburg PA 18036, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Limeport PA 18060, Macungie PA 18062, Old Zionsville PA 18068, Trexlertown PA 18087, Zionsville PA 18092, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The following blog post Common Plumbing Problems During Home Inspections was originally published to Robinson Plumbing