| When a home inspector inspects a home, plumbing is | | | | washing machine because the shower will either |
| one of the critical systems he examines for his | | | | become very hot or cold. |
| report to you. Naturally, one of the first things he will | | | | When you're purchasing a home, your inspector |
| do is to check faucets and fixtures, looking for leaks. | | | | should tell you what material the plumbing pipes are |
| According to the American Water Works Association, | | | | made of and what condition they're in. Replacing |
| almost 15 percent of all the water used in a typical | | | | water distribution piping is quite costly, should it be |
| household is wasted through plumbing leaks, leaky | | | | necessary. |
| faucets and wasted water. | | | | Your inspector should also let you know about the |
| Finding and fixing leaks will save money on water and | | | | water supply pipe that brings water into the home. |
| energy bills. Furthermore, water damage to floors and | | | | Again, copper is the best material because, if the pipe |
| the foundation is all too common and must be dealt | | | | is made of galvanized steel, it could have the same |
| with to prevent further problems. | | | | corrosion problem noted above. If this pipe is made |
| Also, though it sounds silly and unnecessary at first, | | | | from lead, excessive amounts of lead may be |
| your home inspector will make sure cold water | | | | leaching into the water, which poses a health hazard. |
| comes from the right side and hot water from the | | | | The best solution is to replace this pipe. However, |
| left when faucets are turned on. That's the | | | | this costs thousands of dollars. |
| conventional standard. You wouldn't want anyone to | | | | If contaminants such as lead are coming into the |
| be surprised by getting scalded in the shower | | | | home's water supply, consider adding a water |
| because they thought they were turning on the cold | | | | filtration system where water enters the building. |
| water. | | | | Also consider adding a water treatment system in |
| Your inspector will check the type and condition of | | | | the kitchen where water is used for drinking and |
| water pipes, which are usually made of copper, brass, | | | | cooking. |
| or galvanized steel. Copper is the most desirable | | | | The water heater is another important item your |
| material, with brass next, and galvanized steel the | | | | inspector will check. If it's a gas water heater, it must |
| least desirable. | | | | be installed properly and allow for good ventilation. A |
| Copper is best for water distribution piping. It lasts | | | | metal flue pipe must let toxic gases flow up and out |
| the longest and is usually trouble free. As for brass | | | | of the home through a chimney. Improper ventilation |
| pipes, mineral content in the water affects their | | | | will result in accumulation of toxic and deadly carbon |
| durability. White mineral deposits on brass pipes | | | | monoxide. If the flue pipe slopes downward it should |
| means there are pinhole leaks. This shows the pipes | | | | be repaired and replaced. Heat from the water |
| are deteriorating and may need replaced at some | | | | heater's gas combustion must rise upward, as it is |
| point in the future. | | | | meant to do. |
| Galvanized steel pipes corrode on the inside which | | | | These are just some of the plumbing issues your |
| constricts water flow. It's like trying to merge three | | | | home inspector's report will address. A home's |
| lanes of highway traffic into two or even one. When | | | | plumbing is one of the most important areas in need |
| these pipes are in poor condition, using more than | | | | of attention before a home is purchased or sold. |
| one water fixture at a time causes problems. For | | | | Spotting and taking care of problems now will keep |
| example, if someone is taking a shower, avoid | | | | many problems in the future at bay. |
| flushing the toilet, using the dishwasher or the | | | | |