Plumbing in Fort Worth: A Guide for Home Buyers

On the search for your new home? The plumbing system is one of the most critical aspects to consider when buying one. Plus, plumbing in Fort Worth can incur a significant amount of costs if it has to be repaired or replaced for any reason. What does that mean for you? Before buying a home, you should carefully inspect all plumbing systems, and ensure that they are in topnotch condition.

Generally, a majority of the ‘homeowners to-be’ assume that plumbing systems are examined when the basic building and pest inspection is carried out, but more often than not, this isn’t the case. As such, you should get them inspected by a professional plumber in Fort Worth like Benjamin Franklin.  After all, 90% of homes have major or minor issues related to plumbing in Fort Worth, and so it is absolutely essential that you get them examined. You are spending such a huge amount, so you do want to make sure that what you are getting is worth it and without any issues or flaws of any kind.

From what we have observed, the biggest problem related to plumbing in Fort Worth is sewer and drainage issues when a storm strikes. Broken, cracked or collapsed pipes and nearby tree roots clog the entire plumbing system and can generate repairs worth thousands of dollars. We’ll take you through some of the main issues related to plumbing in Fort Worth that people face when buying a new home.

Hot Water Systems

Hot water systems are the second worst plumbing problem, right after blocked drains. Imagine a cold, wintry day and you want to have a shower before going to work, but unfortunately, there is no hot water. Too bad, isn’t it? We agree, which is why you should get a reputed plumber in Fort Worth to thoroughly examine the water heater units before you buy a home.

So, what stops your water heater from working? Most of the times, it is because the thermostat or the heating component fails to work. You’ll have to get them replaced in both cases by a professional plumber in Fort Worth. If the unit is too old, then you would notice visible signs of rusting, degrading and worn and tear. Eventually, one of the components may just fall out or a leak may occur. If the unit is already leaking, then the cylinder might have ruptured, and cannot be repaired. You can get these components repaired, but if the life span of the water heating unit is almost over, then you may be better of buying a new unit.

Water Leaks

Where do water leaks occur? Taps, toilet cisterns and underground water pipes. Toilet leaks are usually the most difficult to detect. Throw some paper into toilet bowl against the back, and let it remain there for a few minutes. Check after some time, and if the paper has slid down to the bowl, then you may have a leak. The shut off valve can degrade and result in leaks if it’s too old. Similarly, the water inlet pipe can also leak if it has worn out. You will have to get all these parts repaired or replaced, as suggested by a plumber in Fort Worth.

Leaking taps are easily noticeable and can quickly be repaired. Refrain from fixing these yourself if you want to completely stop the leaks. A professional plumber in Fort Worth will do the job much better than you.

Some water leaks may remain undetected unless you notice the increase in your bills. The fittings and pipes gradually degrade and cause leaks. Usually, the only way to figure them out is to get an inspection conducted by a plumber in Fort Worth.

Sewer

Have you ever gotten the external pipes of your system inspected? Many a times, these get cracked or infiltrated with tree roots. This results in undermining, which can shift the very foundations and cause extensive structural damage. Commonly drains are often blocked due to tree roots. When the roots search for water underneath the ground, they often find crevices in the pipes and sewer system, through which they creep in. They begin to absorb the water, and eventually grow and spread, blocking the pipe and preventing water from flowing.

Root infiltration is identified only a plumber in Fort Worth conducts drain inspection using a camera, the image of which is reflected onto a small screen. The inside of the pipe is clearly visible, and with many plumbers, the findings can be recorded.

Water Efficiency and Pressure

Conduct a water efficiency test, and ensure that the results are in line with the requirements and your needs. This involves testing each fixture and measuring the flow rate. Ideally, the showerheads should have a maximum flow rate of around 9 liters per minute, whereas the flow rates of the toiliet should be around 4 liters on an average. The maximum rate is around 6.5 liters.

The flow rate for your appliances and taps should also be around 9 liters per minute.

Water Pressure

Check the flow rate of water for every tap and appliance, and make sure the flow is sufficient for your needs. If you notice any kind of restriction in the flow, then call a professional plumber in Fort Worth.

The water pressure can fall down due to any number of reasons, but in some cases, it may not have anything to do with the plumbing system in your house. Instead, the problem can arise due some break in the main water supply line, usually because of accumulated deposits. If you use a water filtration system, then no issues, but if not, the deposits can hinder the water flow of your taps and showerheads.

So, before buying a house, be sure to get it inspected by a plumber in Fort Worth like Benjamin Franklin so that you don’t have to face any of the plumbing problems we have discussed above.