When it comes to home plumbing, there are many potential problems that could arise during installation or after the fact. Luckily, many of these issues can be prevented beforehand with a little bit of know-how and effort. The good news is that most of these issues are relatively simple to remedy. Even if you’re not experienced with plumbing, you can likely learn the basics and avoid some of these issues before they become a much bigger headache for you or your home’s future owners. We’ve put together some common issues with plumbing installations so that you can be better prepared next time around.
This is one of the most common issues with plumbing installations. If a contractor attempts to install more piping than is necessary, it can lead to problems in the future. For example, if you have a single-pipe setup for two faucets in the kitchen, but add another faucet in the pantry, you end up with two pipes that are too close together. If one faucet is used frequently while the other faucet is hardly used at all, the pipes can become corroded over time. This could lead to a very unsightly situation with leaking pipes and an expensive repair bill. Even if you have an experienced plumber working on your home, they may not catch this error. If you have an inspection scheduled, be sure to ask the inspector to walk through your home and check the pipes for length.
This is another common issue with plumbing installations. For example, if a contractor installs PVC pipe to replace your cast iron pipes, the PVC pipes will not be strong enough to handle the same flow rate. This is especially true if the PVC pipes are smaller in diameter than the cast iron pipes. While the PVC pipes may seem like a good idea at first, they may not be up to the task. If you have cast iron pipes in your home, they have a much larger pressure rating than PVC pipes, so they will more easily withstand an increase in water pressure.
One of the biggest problems with underground plumbing is that the pipes are not accessible without digging up the ground. If you have an inspection scheduled for your home, you can ask the inspector to walk through the backyard and check the pipes to make sure they are clean and in good condition. If you have a water sprinkler system installed in your backyard, you can also ask the inspector to check the pipes for corrosion. This is especially important if you have a copper pipe in the backyard. If a sprinkler system is installed directly on top of the copper pipe, the constant exposure to water can cause corrosion and cracks in the pipe. This problem can be very expensive to repair and is best avoided beforehand.
This is another common issue with plumbing installations. If a contractor installs new pipes to replace old pipes that are no longer in good condition, they may forget to include a back-up pipe. If the new pipes fail or are damaged in some way, the house will lose water pressure and possibly even lose water. This can be very serious and should be avoided at all costs. One way to avoid this problem is to have the contractor mark the location of old pipes before they begin installing new pipes. This will ensure that new pipes are installed correctly and the old pipes are left in place if they are in good condition. If you have an inspection scheduled, be sure to ask the inspector to walk through your home and check the back-up piping.
If you have a new plumbing installation in your home, it’s important to identify which parts of the system are which. For example, if you have a new water heater installed, you want to make sure the drain from the water heater is attached to the correct drain pipe. If the drains from the water heater and the toilet are connected, you have a serious plumbing problem that needs to be addressed immediately. This mistake is commonly made by inexperienced plumbers, but it can be avoided with a little bit of planning. When a new water heater is installed, the plumber should mark the location of the drain pipe and the trap (a device used to catch any water that leaks from the pipes). This will make it much easier to identify the correct trap to attach to the new water heater.
Building a new home is an exciting time, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. As the owner, you will be required to make many important decisions during the building process. One of the most important decisions you will make is choosing a plumbing contractor. It is imperative that you hire a professional contractor to ensure the plumbing is installed correctly and safely. If a plumbing issue arises after the home is completed, you will be responsible for all plumbing-related repairs. If you have homeowner’s insurance, it is critical that you are aware of your policy’s plumbing exclusion. Many insurance policies exclude plumbing-related repairs, so you may be responsible for the entire cost of repair if your pipes are damaged by something like a clogged toilet.
To conclude, it is important to remember that the best way to avoid problems with plumbing installations is to be prepared and know what you’re looking for. If you have a long checklist of potential problems, you will be able to anticipate problems and avoid them before they become a major headache. If you have any questions while reading this article, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.