| The view is breathtaking and you want the home, | | | | workmanship during construction, and possible shifting |
| but a prudent inspection of the plumbing system can | | | | of the foundation. As mentioned before, any piece of |
| affect how much you want it or how much you | | | | real estate with galvanized steel or cast iron pipe |
| should be willing to offer for purchase. In addition to | | | | running along or in the foundation will almost inevitably |
| the normal checks needed to explore the condition | | | | need major investment soon. A slab leak can be a |
| of the plumbing system, the salt water and humidity | | | | $500 - $1,200 repair and cause a large disruption of |
| that comes in tandem with beachfront property | | | | the floor near the leak. Once a leak has been |
| introduces a whole new set of possible problems. | | | | detected and fixed, it's usually just a matter of time |
| These problems may not be showstoppers but | | | | before more occur. |
| should absolutely impact the amount you are willing | | | | One of a few options is necessary to take care of |
| to spend. | | | | this problem completely. Total repiping could cost |
| Operating a plumbing company in Clearwater for over | | | | $3,000 - $12,000 and cause major disruption to your |
| thirty years offers plenty of experience to see what | | | | home. Pipelining is another option that consists of |
| the beachfront environment can do to plumbing | | | | running a lining through the inside of the existing pipes |
| systems. You need to assess two main systems, the | | | | in the drainage system. It is less money, usually |
| water supply and the drain-waste-vent system. | | | | around $1,000 to $5,000 and has significantly less |
| Water Supply System | | | | peripheral damage to your house. |
| The main water supply comes in under pressure from | | | | Property near the water is at a substantially greater |
| the city and usually runs to the water heater where | | | | risk for flooding to occur due to storms. Once water |
| it splits. One line goes into the hot water heater and | | | | gets to a certain level above the foundation of the |
| the two lines, hot and cold water, run parallel to each | | | | house, it seeps into the ground and the salt residue |
| other to all the fixtures. Considerations depend on | | | | remains there for a long time. This situation will most |
| which of the type of material they are made of:o | | | | likely inflict more much more damage over the years |
| Copper pipes are a good option because they are | | | | and reduce the life of your plumbing system. It is a |
| smooth, can be joined very securely, and last the | | | | good practice to ask neighbors of the home if there |
| longest, usually around 50 years. Salt air and humidity | | | | have been high water levels in the area. |
| from proximity to the ocean can drastically reduce | | | | Exposed Plumbing |
| the life of copper pipes down to 25-30 years.o | | | | Many real estate properties on the water, |
| Galvanized Steel pipes have not been used for new | | | | condominiums or elevated homes, have major |
| construction in 25 years. They are very susceptible | | | | sections of the plumbing system exposed to the air. |
| to rust and corrosion over time and, once again, the | | | | Once again, the high salt content in the air and high |
| waterfront environment can drastically accelerate this. | | | | humidity can cause premature degradation to both |
| Water supply pipes are generally harder to inspect | | | | the pipes themselves and drain assemblies. Metal |
| because they are constantly full and under pressure. | | | | becomes pitted and eventually will need to be |
| Visual pipe inspection and awareness of leaks are the | | | | replaced usually in about one half the time it would |
| best method to assess their condition. | | | | under normal conditions. Excess pitting and corrosion |
| Water Drainage | | | | can even occur on the internal plumbing fixtures such |
| The water drainage and vent system collects waste | | | | as faucets and sinks. |
| from the building and takes it out to the sewage | | | | Inspection |
| system. It is a little more complicated due to the | | | | Considering the extraordinary environment plumbing |
| need for venting but it is not under pressure. Drain | | | | systems endure along waterfront property, it would |
| paths are usually made of plastic if construction was | | | | be very prudent to find a licensed plumber to do a |
| in the 1970's or later. The upright drain stacks in older | | | | comprehensive inspection of your potential home |
| homes are sometimes made of cast iron and the | | | | before submitting an offer. For $250 - $400 |
| branch drains can be made out of galvanized steel. In | | | | investment, he can look at all the pipes, both external |
| each case, a home next to the salt water means | | | | and internal. An internal video inspection will reveal not |
| that there is a high risk for corrosion and rusting that | | | | only what type of material all pipes are made of, but |
| would necessitate impending repair or replacement. | | | | also if there are any impending problems such as |
| Slab Leaks | | | | broken pipes, root intrusion, or bellies. |
| Both water supply and waste drainage plumbing can | | | | Significant plumbing probably won't necessarily mean |
| have sections of them running under or within the | | | | the house is unlivable, but information is great to |
| foundation slab of the house. Most houses will | | | | have when you are deciding how much you are |
| develop slab leaks at some point largely depending on | | | | willing to pay for it. |
| the material the pipe is made of, quality of | | | | |