Renovating an Apartment Building: Tips

If you are on the market for a new house, you probably have a slew of questions to ask with each home you look at, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and how much the taxes are. While all of these things are certainly important, there is one thing that is just as important that many house hunters neglect to inquire about—the water pipes.

Water pipes are an integral part of a home, and as you can imagine, if there are problems with these pipes, you could be facing some serious problems. In order to ensure that your prospective house is safe from problems with the water pipes, here's a look at some questions you should ask before you commit to buying a home.

How Old are the Water Pipes?

If the pipes in the house are 60 years old, or older, it is almost guaranteed that there will be problems down the road.

Water pipes that are over 60 years old have run their course and you will most certainly encounter problems with them sooner rather than later. According to the EPA, 8% of all water mains are in danger of failing because they have exceeded their life expectancy. The EPA also found that 47 years is the average age of water mains that fail.

This confirms that if your pipes are old, you can expect that you will need to have the pipes replaced or repaired.

What Type of Soil is Around the House?

Soil can have a major impact on water pipes. Soil that is high in chloride is notorious for corroding water pipes. This corrosion can not only lead to leaks, but it can also lead to contaminated water.

Clay soil is the most troublesome, as it is high in chloride. So, if the soil is clay, even if the pipes are relatively new, you should be aware that there may be problems in down the line.

How Old are the Trees?

If the lot you are looking at is filled with trees, or even if it just has a few trees, they are a cause for concern.

Mature trees have large roots, and those roots are strong. The roots are attracted to water pipes because they offer water and nutrients, which the trees need to grow. If there are mature trees near your water lines, it's almost certain that you can expect an issue, such as a blockage, a clog or even a break. Even if the trees are young, as they grow, they could present a problem for your water lines. Contact professionals, such as ACC Drain & Sewer, to address any problems.