Did you know that moving to New Jersey mandates a plumbing inspection of your house or property? As a homeowner, it pays to know what you can do to inspect your own house and plumbing to fix any major or minor problems ahead of time and save yourself unnecessary costs on plumbing repairs after a professional inspect your plumbing. Posts like this can help!
Inspections & Movin’ Out
Leaving #BergenCounty? New Jersey, whether it’s a change of jobs, costs of commuting, or high real estate taxes that are only deductible to the $10,000 limit on a Federal Tax return, is losing its population to warmer, lower cost-of-living southern states. If you’re thinking about a move and remaining in the Garden State or heading to another state, your home will have to pass an inspection by a certified pro.
Avoid surprises discovered on an inspector’s report by doing your own checks and performing a proper DIY plumbing inspection! This and other posts offer tips on signs to check for (you may, during the inspection, discover a major problem that you will need a professional plumber to solve. Make sure to hire a licensed plumber ASAP):
Check the Hot Water Heater
Inspect your hot water tank or tankless system for leaks and other problems, like rust on or around the pipes of the water heating device. Open the drain screw and let some water into a bucket. If it looks dark brown or a rusty color, it likely means that the water heater has decayed and is overdue for replacement.
Check the label of the water heater to find out when it was installed or look for the town inspector’s approval sticker. Water heater tanks should be replaced every 8-10 years.
Get Better Discounts on Replacements
Rather than be forced to compensate the new owner at closing for a replacement, call Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC and schedule a new water heater install. Not only will you get our top-notch, white-glove service, but you’ll find coupons on our website for discounts available that can result in a lower cost than the “recommended adjustment to sales price” provided by the home inspector or website.
Recommendations on Water Heaters
You’ll also get our recommendation on brand, size, capacity, and any updates on your tank to be correct and compliant with changes in NJ i.e., a 4″ exhaust vent pipe.
When you get a home plumbing inspection done, even if you aren’t moving away, it’s a good opportunity to make sure your tank, plumbing pipes, and HVAC systems are up-to-date and functioning correctly (any plumbing, heating, AC, or vent problems should be fixed beforehand).
Check the Water Pressure
As you inspect your plumbing, you can tell a lot about your home’s sewer and plumbing system by running the sink faucets and flushing the toilets. Water flow in your house, sewer systems, and plumbing system valves are affected by the system of pipes or a fixture, and how much pressure there is in the flow of water can help you diagnose a number of potential plumbing problems in your house.
Listen to the Flow
Just watching the flow of water when you flush the toilet or run the faucets can be a sign of the pipes, valves, waste sewer, and water line’s health. Clean pipes will consistently deliver strong, high-pressure water flow through your water-dispensing fixture in each room that drains quickly and easily.
Pay attention to the connections and drain or water flow in different rooms, in the sinks vs the bathroom toilets and showers or baths, etc. If you notice a weak toilet or drain that has slow drainage, these signs could point you to a clogged pipe, valve, or drain.
A Clogged Plumbing System
Slow flow when you flush or run the water can be as simple as a clogged shower head or faucet valve. Slow drainage and low water pressure can be signs of blockages somewhere in the pipelines. Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC partners with Drain Busters to clear any clogs and help get your bathroom drainage and sink faucets or valves working properly. We can also remove and clean any sink faucet, valve, or shower head in your bathrooms.
Even if you are not in the process of moving out, your home’s clogged drains, pipes, valves, or faucets should be dealt with as part of your usual maintenance to care for your house and avoid bigger, more costly problems later.
If you are unsure how to clear these clogs yourself, or if you have already tried unsuccessfully to resolve the source of a clog, connect with a professional plumber like Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC right away! We are here to help.
Check Washing Machine Hoses
One of the most frequent reasons for flooded basements is burst washing machine hoses! If you’re washing machine appliances are over 5 years old, and you’re still running on your original hose system and lines, it’s possible for those hoses, which are always under pressure whether the machine is on or off, to burst.
You can purchase a non-leak washing machine hose online or at home improvement centers that will block water at the supply point. If getting behind the washing machine and changing them yourself is beyond your ability, Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC offers hose replacement as a service as well.
You’ll also want to check for any leaks elsewhere in your house. Leaks from a pipe, toilet, water tank, or drain are usually pretty obvious to most homeowners, but you may discover leaks in places you don’t often see or wouldn’t think to check for leaks.
Leaking pipes should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid decay or damage in your house. If you need plumbing repairs or maintenance help with leaking pipes, contact Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC or visit our website.
Check the Sump Pump(s)
Older homes that have “settled” may allow outdoor rainwater into the basement. If your basement is completely or partially finished, carpeting can become waterlogged, and furniture or walls can be ruined.
The most popular solution is installing “French Drains” which involves cutting a track around the perimeter of the concrete basement floor near the wall, creating a drain route for rainwater to travel, and having it flow to a pit for the sump pump. The flow of water into the pit will raise the float attached to the electric pump which will move the water outside and away from your home.
Many bathrooms also have a p-trap under a bathroom sink or tub to drain extra water if needed.
Why Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC?
Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC is Bergen County’s Premier Plumbing, Heating, and AC Services company. If you’re selling your house, an inspection is a mandatory step. Home inspectors are paid to search for problems, even minor ones, to justify their fees, and you’d want the same if you were buying a house.
Benefits of a Home Plumbing Inspection
However, by doing a bit of work on your own, you can catch issues a home inspector might find and get to them first. Plumbing problems tend to start off small, and if not caught early, can snowball into epic proportions. A full inspection from the finest plumbers in Bergen County is just what you need to feel at ease.
While doing a DIY inspection, there is always a chance you could miss some of the unseen problems while only on the lookout for major issues. This is why hiring a plumbing professional for inspections could be a good investment to truly ensure your systems are taken care of properly and fixed before you move.
Contact us Today!
Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC has been faithfully serving homeowners in New Jersey for years, and our clients love our reliable, top-quality plumbing and HVAC service. For more information about Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC and our extensive menu of services—including full-service inspections, emergency 24/7 on-call attention, and more, contact us today or visit our website.
References and Sources:
BobVila.com. All You Need to Know About Basement Drains. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/basement-drains/
Co.Bergen.NJ.US. Bergen County New Jersey. https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/
FamilyHandyman.com. Upgrade Washing Machine Hoses. https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/upgrade-washing-machine-hoses/
Forbes.com. Residents Pay the Lowest Property Taxes in These States. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brendarichardson/2020/04/09/residents-pay-the-lowest-property-taxes-in-these-states/?sh=ddeb7d75834b
HomeInspectionInsider.com. Common Plumbing Problems Found During Home Inspections. https://homeinspectioninsider.com/common-plumbing-problems-found-during-home-inspections/
NJMonthly.com. Reaping what they sow. https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/reaping-what-they-sow/
PrudentReviews.com. How to Fix a Weak Flushing Toilet (8 Simple Solutions). https://prudentreviews.com/weak-flushing-toilet/
TheSpruce.com. Venting a Hot Water Heater: What You Should Know. https://www.thespruce.com/venting-a-water-heater-2719061
