It is exciting contemplating buying a new home in Las Vegas. As you are going home shopping, you consider features like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the home’s square footage, and the amenities in the neighborhood.
While the plumbing system is not the most glamorous part of the home, it is something you should pay attention to. You want to guarantee the following key features to pass your home’s plumbing inspection to avoid unnecessary, expensive repairs or a plumbing emergency.
The Main Sewer
Although the main sewer is something you will never see, it is one of the essential systems in your home. It is what connects your home’s pipes to the city’s plumbing system or sewer line. If the main sewer line in a home is damaged, it will cause huge problems.
During the home’s plumbing inspection, the inspector will use a camera to check for specific issues to look into the main sewer. A sewer camera inspection should never be overlooked. If the main sewer line is damaged, you should have the homeowner get it repaired as a sale contingency.
Damaged main sewer lines or severely clogged pipes may collapse. Repairing and replacing these lines is a significant financial investment. If you notice substantial problems with the main sewer line, it may be possible for the technicians at Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing to re-line them instead of completely replacing them. In most cases, severe damage to sewer lines is a dealbreaker for prospective homebuyers.
Hot Water Heater
The last thing you want is to move into your new Las Vegas home only to find out you have no hot water. Water heaters last for about a decade, depending on how well they are maintained, water quality, frequency of use, and the quality of the initial installation.
If a water heater is used to heat the entire home, it has a drastically shorter lifespan than one used solely to provide hot water. You want an experienced plumber to evaluate the age of the water heater and ensure that it is up to code.
The water heater should be the right size for the amount of water your family uses. You want to think about your current hot water usage and any additional appliances you plan on installing that require hot water. Our plumbing professionals can evaluate a water heater for signs of damage, leaks, and indications that a catastrophe is on the horizon.
Toilet Leaks
Everybody has a nightmare story of a toilet leaking at the wrong time. You don’t want to purchase a home that already has leaky toilets. Inspect the base of the toilet. Are there signs of warping or discoloration? Is the floor around the toilet soft? Does the toilet bowl move because of your body weight? These are indicators that there is a severe leakage problem. If you notice that the toilet has small leaks, it’s best to reach out to a plumber and have them make the repairs. Attempting to seal the leak on your own is unlikely to solve the problem and could worsen the situation.
Leaky Sinks and Showers
Do you see a continuous leak in the sinks and showers? Are they slow to drain? These are indications that you need to have a professional plumber evaluate things. A slowly draining sink or a leaky shower might seem relatively minor now. But it could indicate serious problems in the plumbing, including clogged and corroded pipes that will be costly to replace.
Inconsistent Water Pressure
Very low water pressure or extremely high water pressure are issues that need to be addressed during the home inspection. Water pressure issues can shorten the lifespan of your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater. Low water pressure could indicate that the water heater is damaged, pipes are broken, or pipes are clogged. There might even be water leaking behind the wall.
Extremely high water pressure can stress the plumbing in the home. This can cause pipes to burst and lead to other expensive damage.
The Material Your Pipes Are Made Of
The plumbing setup for a house in Minneapolis is drastically different than one for a home in Las Vegas. During the plumbing inspection, have your inspector evaluate the material and types of pipes installed in the home you are considering purchasing. Ask if the pipes are galvanized, copper, lead blends, or another unique type of piping. Each piping material has its vulnerabilities and outstanding issues. Knowing what types of pipes a home has can help you foresee potential problems.
Water Hammer
Open the taps in the home to make sure you don’t hear a hammering noise as the water is traveling through the pipes. This banging noise happens due to the pressure created when water stops suddenly or changes direction because a valve has opened or closed too quickly. These pressure issues can create serious problems, ranging from noise to pipe collapse. Our plumbing professionals at Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help you assess the cause of the water hammer and suggest ways to remedy the issue.
Grass Growing a Little Too Well
Look at the lawn of the home you are considering purchasing. Are there certain trees that are highly healthy along the sewer lines? This might indicate that the tree’s roots have broken through the sewer pipes and are gorging on their content.
Extremely healthy patches of grass could indicate an external overflow. Check the lawn for sitting water or areas with an unpleasant smell.
It is vital to look for blocked drains in sewer pipes that sit under the street or in difficult areas to access. Repairing these issues is expensive because of the work involved in having them cleared and fixed.
Gurgling Drains
If you hear gurgling sounds as water travels down the drain, this could indicate that the drains are blocked. Soap scum, oil, hair, kitchen scraps, and other debris could be the culprit. In extreme cases, tree roots may have penetrated the pipes, or there may be cracks in the pipes. These are serious issues that can cause damage to your new home if there is an overflow.
Discolored Pipes
Closely examine the pipes and note any discoloration. This could indicate dampness caused by a leaky drain line. The leak might start in the supply line. This is an expensive, disastrous repair. Corroded pipes, copper pipes with green or white patches, or steel pipes with red patches indicate damage. It’s not a question of if the pipe will burst but a question of when.
Expert Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning in Las Vegas
Since we opened our doors, we have been committed to providing consistent quality air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services. We are a locally owned and operated company dedicated to giving our neighbors premium service while making their homes comfortable. Whether you need HVAC repair or maintenance, air balancing, water heating services, air purification, reverse osmosis, or general plumbing services, we are the team you should turn to.
Our technicians are EPA certified and well-versed in all aspects of HVAC systems and plumbing. Contact us today and see why Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the go-to company for HVAC and plumbing needs in Las Vegas!
