For home buyers, the quality of plumbing in the house they are planning to purchase is an extremely important consideration but often this is neglected. In an average household, leakages in the indoor CPVC pipes and UPVC pipes & fittings can lead to the wastage of close to 10K gallons of water annually. In fact, over 800 million people in our country do not have quality indoor plumbing in their homes. For homeowners, conducting a proper plumbing inspection is an absolute must – and over here, we present a checklist for this purpose:
Get The Plumbing Accessories Checked For Leaks
There are lots of pipes, taps, faucets and other plumbing fixtures at any home. In case even one of them is defective, water will be ‘hemorrhaging’ – causing unnecessary wastage. To avoid this, home buyers need to get all plumbing pipes & fittings carefully inspected. Leakages, cracks and/or other defects (if any) will be detected at an early stage, and repairs or replacements can be done before moving in.
Use UPVC and CPVC Pipes As Required
Prepare a list of plumbing fixtures through which both warm and cold water would be flowing. Use high-quality, durable CPVC pipes for these fixtures. On the other hand, consider using UPVC pipes and fittings – when only cold water would be moving through certain applications. Home buyers should always keep in mind that a UPVC pipe should not be used for the transmission of water at more than 55°C.
Consider The Age Of The Thermostat & Other Hot Water Systems
How long does it take for the water to heat up after the thermostat is turned on? If the process is painfully slow (or there is no heating at all), the thermostat – or any heating element in it – is likely to be at fault. In general too, buyers must check how old the hot water systems at the new homes are. This will also give an idea about the likely performance of the systems in future, and about the warranty features.
Check The Water Pressure
If a pipe bursts suddenly due to excessive water pressure, the results can be indescribably messy. That’s precisely why buyers simply have to get the water pressure checked by professional experts – and go for UPVC pipes & CPVC pipes and fittings accordingly. Another consideration should be the location and altitude of the home that is being bought. At higher altitudes, elevated levels of water pressure can pose bigger challenges than at flat landscapes.
Make Sure That The Underground Sewerage & External Drainage Systems Are Working Properly
In addition to the indoor plumbing, homebuyers need to keep an eye out on the quality and reliability of the underground sewerage pipes of the house they are looking to buy. Generally, UPVC pipe products are used in these applications, while customers can consider using robust SWR pipes for external drainage systems. There should not be any root intrusions, surface cracks, clogging, and/or other such problems in the sewerage and the outdoor pipes.
Watch Out For Clogged Drains and Water Stains
Ignoring a clogged drain in the basement, bath or the kitchen is – in essence – inviting trouble. Troublesome leakages and/or water accumulation are likely to happen as a direct result – and big bucks have to be spent on repairs. Hence, homebuyers have to make sure that there are no blockages in any of the drains. Mold, old water stains and marks are indicative of leaking pipes – if these are present, consider doing a thorough residential plumbing inspection.
The Hygiene Factor Has To Be Given Prime Importance
Any home plumbing system with pipes that contain lead is hazardous. Lead is a proven carcinogen agent – and it can contaminate drinking water, leading to serious health hazards. Buyers should stay away from such pipes – and use only lead-free CPVC pipes and UPVC pipes & fittings in the plumbing setup. Leading pipes & fittings manufacturers in India, like Skipper Pipes, have the complete range of UPVC and CPVC pipes in their portfolio – ensuring that hygiene considerations are never compromised.
Get The Quality Of Plumbing Pipes Checked
Choosing new pipes for residential plumbing systems? Do not try to cut corners, and go for pipes that are corrosion and rust-resistant, have excellent mechanical strength & durability, and do not require too much maintenance. The joints should be leak-proof, and there should not be any scaling buildup in the pipes over time. In case the pipes are already installed, avail the services of a certified plumber – and get the necessary replacements or fixes done.
Look Out For Dripping Faucets, Gurgling Pipe Sounds & More
In a nutshell, any unnatural sound generated by home plumbing systems is a precursor for trouble. In case buyers notice sloshing, banging or odd gurgling sounds in the pipes – the latter should be checked immediately. If there is a dripping faucet, it should be repaired (there can be damages in the pipe attached to it as well) as soon as possible. Apart from being hugely irritating, a dripping faucet can cause considerable water wastage too.
Having Pipes Of The Proper Sizes Is Vital
UPVC or CPVC pipes that are too narrow tend to restrict water flow. This affects the overall water efficiency at home. On the other hand, if pipes of unnecessarily high diameters are chosen, usage or repairs can be problematic. Find out from an expert what the ideal distance of the pipes should be, from the faucets and from the water source. Set things up accordingly.
Above all, homeowners should make it a point to buy UPVC pipe and CPVC pipes from reputed, reliable pipes and fittings manufacturers. When the plumbing pipes are of optimised quality, are of the correct sizes and installed properly, and are regularly inspected – water wastage becomes minimal, and total water bills are significantly reduced. The importance of good residential plumbing is immense – and homebuyers simply cannot afford to be negligent about it.
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