A Positively Moving Experience
New Home Plumbing Check
When you move into a brand new home, many people overlook the importance of ensuring that the home’s plumbing system is working properly – and we don’t blame them, as who wants to think about plumbing when decorating your new home can be so much more fun! However, it’s of vital importance that your home plumbing system is verified to be working before you move into your new digs. Here’s a guide from the residential moving experts at Noah’s Ark Moving and Storage on how to verify that all of your home’s pipe based systems are working properly prior to your move in.
Water Meters and Water Valves
First, close all the faucets and see if the water meter is still turning. If it is, there’s a leak somewhere. Then check the valves. Start by shutting off the main valve. When it’s shut off, check every faucet in the house – they should all have no water. If these steps work properly, you’ve hit the ground running for verifying a working plumbing system.
Water Heaters
Check to see if your water heaters have any corrosion. Corrosion is a serious issue that can cause serious damage to water heaters. It’s important to understand that the usual 4 person family needs at least 400 gallons of water daily for typical showering, bathing, washing, and drinking needs, and that water heaters are built to last about ten years based on how often they are used, the quality of the water, and how often they are maintained. Corrosion usually looks like brown or blackish rust.
Toilets, faucets, and sinks
Look at each toilet, faucet, and sink. They should all work properly, with no leaking or dripping. See if they all have equalized pressure for their water flow. Open all the faucets to their highest level, and see if the water goes straight down the sink with no accumulation or delay. This also applies to your toilets; when you flush them, the toilet needs to fully drain with no left over water. If toilets or sinks fail this inspection, it means that they are likely clogged, which can cause serious issues down the road.
Septic Tanks
If the home uses a septic tank system rather than the municipal sewer system, you need to be 100% certain that it’s working with total functionality. Any standing water or bad smell is a sign that there’s seeping from your septic tank system, which needs to be addressed right away, as it poses a major health hazard. This should be the total responsibility of the individual selling the house to fix, not the buyer. We recommend hiring a professional plumber to inspect your septic tank system for this reason.
