Have You Bought A New Home? Do You Need A Plumbing Checkup?

Have you just bought a new home? Congratulations! Purchasing and moving into a new home is such an exciting time. You’ve done all of the inspections and new adventures lay ahead. But many new homeowners find out too late that their new home has severe plumbing problems buried far beneath the walls, with old or inadequate plumbing systems not being revealed in pre-sale inspections. Nobody can see through your walls, but you can take some steps to visually inspect your home for any potential problems.

It is imperative that you always call a professional out to inspect and rectify any issues you may recognise when it comes to the plumbing in your home. Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas are your local experts in all areas of residential and commercial plumbing and can assist you in recognising and repairing small issues before they become large problems.

Some signs to look out for and inspections to carry out include:

• Standing Water
• Peeling Paint and Rust
• Sewer/Septic Tank
• Water Heater

Standing Water

A big indicator that water leakage is awry is standing water, or pools of water in certain areas of your yard, that won’t dry up and are recurring. Excess water in your yard usually indicates a leak in the sewer line coming from your home and can contain waste that your children and pets can easily gain access too, not to mention being a breeding ground for pests, insects and germs. Swampy patches in your grass or garden beds, or areas where the grass or plants look particularly green are usually the areas to inspect first.

Peeling Paint and Rust

Inside your home, the biggest indicator of leaking pipes is water damage to your walls. Peeling and bubbling paint and rust spreading over metal door frames is your first sign that the pipes are leaking water into the wall cavity. You should also inspect the inside of cabinets and cupboards in the kitchen and bathrooms to check for water damage. This will usually be picked up in your house inspection, however cheap patch up jobs can hide the damage behind the wall. If your wall plaster or surface feels damp to touch, comes off in your hands or is bubbling away on the surface, call your plumber to inspect the pipes for a leak.

Sewer/Septic Tank

Whether your new home runs on the Water Corporation’s wastewater system or you have your own septic tank, an inspection of the sewage is imperative to ensure your waste is being carried away efficiently from your home. Check for wet patches above the location of the septic tank (if you have one) and if your plumbing shows any signs of blockage, such as slow draining, bad smells or strange noises, call your plumber. They can use specialised equipment to inspect the pipes thoroughly.

Water Heater

Check your water heater for year of manufacture and any signs of damage from the outside. Water heaters and their elements can be costly to repair or replace so frequent checks are essential. If you live in an area that experiences ‘hard water’, the elements and fixtures can corrode quickly so if your hot water is limited or the heater shows signs of damage or significant age, it’s best to call your plumber to assess before it ends up costly you significantly.

Who Do I Call to Arrange An Inspection Of My Plumbing?

The team at Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas have over 35 years experience in inspecting, maintaining and repairing plumbing in the South West. If you have just bought a new property, or believe your plumbing could benefit from a check-up, call Mainline Plumbing and Cheap Hot Water and Gas today
on 9791 1608 (Bunbury) or 9759 1317 (Dunsborough) for a free quote.