Common Plumbing Problems in a New Home
There isn't much in the way of testing out your plumbing configuration in new home construction until you move into the house and start to use the water system on a regular basis.
When the plumbing is first installed into a new home, it usually undergoes a pressure test to ensure there are no leaks in the system.
This is the only test that can be done until the homeowner moves in and contacts the utility company to have the water turned on.
Many times, even though the water lines are pressurized with air, it is not possible to find all the leaks - if they exist.
When the water is initially turned on, it can wash any loosely sealed areas of the piping away.
Because of this, it is not uncommon for small leaks to be detected in the plumbing after new home construction.
In most cases, leaks can occur around threaded joints, but can also occur in glued joints.
After the water is turned on for the first time, a plumber can tighten the joints with a standard plumbing wrench to ensure they are tight and not leaking.
They may have to use new plumbing sealer to ensure that no further leaks are possible.
In a joint that has already been glued, however, the pipe will have to be cut out and replaced with a new one because there is no way to seal a glued joint without breaking it open.
This type of leak is most common in the basement or foundation of the house near the water heater and hot water lines.
The water pressure coupled with the heat of the water can lead to this type of leak.
Another common issue with plumbing in new home is with the fixtures.
It is important to check over all the water fixtures in a new construction when the homeowner moves in to ensure that plumbers and installers correctly tightened them.
It is possible that a faucet or a knob wasn't tightened properly during installation.
It is also possible that the plumber may have tightened a fixture too much, causing damage.
For this reason, it is imperative that homeowners properly look over any and all faucet, toilet and tub fixtures before they begin regular use.
After your initial inspection of your new home's plumbing system when the water is first hooked up, you should perform another inspection after 30 days.
Leaks can sometimes show themselves after a month of regular use.
If your plumbing is showing no signs of leaks or problems after 30 days, you can rest assured that your plumbing is in good condition and will last for many years to come.
It is always a good idea to perform annual inspections of your pipes to repair any potential problems before they become a larger, more expensive issue.
When the plumbing is first installed into a new home, it usually undergoes a pressure test to ensure there are no leaks in the system.
This is the only test that can be done until the homeowner moves in and contacts the utility company to have the water turned on.
Many times, even though the water lines are pressurized with air, it is not possible to find all the leaks - if they exist.
When the water is initially turned on, it can wash any loosely sealed areas of the piping away.
Because of this, it is not uncommon for small leaks to be detected in the plumbing after new home construction.
In most cases, leaks can occur around threaded joints, but can also occur in glued joints.
After the water is turned on for the first time, a plumber can tighten the joints with a standard plumbing wrench to ensure they are tight and not leaking.
They may have to use new plumbing sealer to ensure that no further leaks are possible.
In a joint that has already been glued, however, the pipe will have to be cut out and replaced with a new one because there is no way to seal a glued joint without breaking it open.
This type of leak is most common in the basement or foundation of the house near the water heater and hot water lines.
The water pressure coupled with the heat of the water can lead to this type of leak.
Another common issue with plumbing in new home is with the fixtures.
It is important to check over all the water fixtures in a new construction when the homeowner moves in to ensure that plumbers and installers correctly tightened them.
It is possible that a faucet or a knob wasn't tightened properly during installation.
It is also possible that the plumber may have tightened a fixture too much, causing damage.
For this reason, it is imperative that homeowners properly look over any and all faucet, toilet and tub fixtures before they begin regular use.
After your initial inspection of your new home's plumbing system when the water is first hooked up, you should perform another inspection after 30 days.
Leaks can sometimes show themselves after a month of regular use.
If your plumbing is showing no signs of leaks or problems after 30 days, you can rest assured that your plumbing is in good condition and will last for many years to come.
It is always a good idea to perform annual inspections of your pipes to repair any potential problems before they become a larger, more expensive issue.
