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Water Pipes - Drip, Drip, Drip
Alright, I'll admit right away water pipes are not exactly the most
glamorous aspect of a home. In fact, water piping in most homes is more
than adequate to keep you in hot showers while you live there and take
care of all your water needs. If there is a problem with the interior
water pipes, however, you are in for a very costly and disruptive
experience.
The main issue with water pipes on the interior of a home is their
location. It is easy to forget about them because they are primarily
hidden behind the walls of the house. While this is good from a visual
perspective, it quickly becomes a negative if a pipe starts leaking or,
god forbid, actually bursts inside a wall. Leaks lead to rot and mold
problems that can effect the health of your family. A burst pipe leads to
flooding, new carpets, rebuilt walls and large bills.
When evaluating the water pipes in a home, keep in mind the following
issues.
1. Copper - The best piping material for water pipes is copper.
It will last forever and is resistant to hard deposit build ups which
can impact the amount of water flowing through the pipes.
Copper pipes are also the sign of a quality construction effort as they
tend to be more expensive than alternatives.
2. PVC - If you see PVC water pipes anywhere other than on the sprinkler
system or from the main street line to the house, red flags should wave
before your eyes. The presence of PVC piping is an indication of an
owner doing the piping themselves, as most construction companies will
not use PVC. In a majority of locations, such use of PVC is outright
illegal. Do not buy a home with PVC piping in the walls! Ever!
3. Iron Piping - For a long time, iron piping was pretty much the
standard in home construction. There is nothing particularly wrong with
using such piping with one exception. Iron piping is susceptible to
water and will rust over time. If you find this grey, metal piping in
the home, find out when it was put in and check for rust. Iron piping
should last roughly 30 years without any major problems. If replacements
must be made, go with copper.
The pipes moving water around the interior of a home may seem
uninteresting. Your attitude, however, will change if one of them bursts
in the middle of the night.
About the author:
Raynor James is with the FSBO site - http://www.fsboamerica.org
- FSBO homes for sale by owner.
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For Sale by Owner Upper Peninsula Businesses, City of Munising residential
