Moving into a new house is an exciting prospect. However, one of the things you need to consider is a plumbing inspection, especially as finding plumbing issues once you’ve moved into a new home can be extremely stressful. To reduce your anxiety, we’re sharing our top plumbing tips when moving into a new home.
How to Check the Plumbing Before Moving into A New Home
Use the following tips to help you along the way and add them to your plumbing inspection checklist for moving into a new home.
1. Check for Leaks or Drips
Leaks and drips are not always easy to identify. The best place to check is any shower fittings where they meet the wall or under the sinks in the house, both the bathroom and the kitchen. Run the water to see if any drips form as these could cause future problems. Additionally, check under radiators as these are common places where small leaks or drips occur.
2. Are There Water Stains on The Walls?
Water stains are a sign of present or past leaks. There could be leaking in the wall cavities, leaky pipes or even a roof problem that needs correcting. You may also notice damp and mould on the walls which can be a sign of leaks too.
3. Are There Lead Pipes?
Lead pipes are common in houses built before 1970. Over time, lead can corrode, causing leaks and contaminating your water supply which can be harmful to your health. To identify if you have lead water pipes, you can simply use a magnet. If the magnet does not stay on the pipe, it is made of lead.
4. Are There Leaky Taps?
Leaky taps can indicate a problem with the main water valve. Check every tap in the house, not just the taps in the bath and sinks, but also the stop tap and the one that is used to fill the water tank to increase water pressure.
5. Are the Toilets Working?
It’s a good idea to check the flushing functions, the tank level, flush valve and the fill valve of the toilets in a property. All of these must be functioning well to prevent the possibility of future leaks or plumbing problems.
6. What Does the Water Taste Like?
It’s important to see and taste the quality of the water as dirty or poor tasting water can be a sign of plumbing issues. It will also ensure you and your family stay healthy too!
7. Is the Drainage System in Good Condition?
The drainage system is an integral part of the plumbing. To identify any issues, use your sense of smell, especially outside where the drains are. Additionally, look to see if any blockages may be present, for example, by running the water to check if it drains away properly.
8. Are the Water Heaters Working Well?
The main sign to look for to tell if your water heaters are working correctly is the quality of the hot water from running the tap. Is the water clear? You should also listen out for unusual sounds coming from your water heaters as this could suggest a potential problem.
9. Hire A Plumber for An Inspection
Hiring a qualified plumber and a gas safe registered engineer for an in-depth inspection of the whole plumbing system should be at the top of your list. A quality inspection will ensure everything is in order, including the boiler and drainage system. It will also prevent you from dealing with expensive future repairs, not to mention the hassle of facing leaks or having no hot water at short notice. Just remember to book an inspection in advance to give you plenty of time to handle any problems. See our ultimate list of home improvement companies in London.
Key Takeaway
Home plumbing is one of many factors to contemplate when moving house. Reduce the amount of stress in your life by hiring a removal and storage firm to handle the moving process for you, leaving you to focus on other important aspects of your move.
