When you are buying a home, one of the first important factors you should consider is plumbing. This is the system that’s responsible for supplying water and gas to the home. It connects everything, from the sinks, toilets, showers, and other fixtures. However, since plumbing is probably the least exciting system, most people who are planning to buy a home often overlook it.

In fact, these tips can also be used by those on the rental market. No, you won’t have to pay for the fixes but it will save you a lot of stress or discomfort if you have to live in a place without proper plumbing.

While some plumbing problems are minor and have easy and cheap fixes, others can cost you hundreds and even thousands for repairs. So if you don’t want to end up paying more than what you signed up for, here are some of the most important plumbing issues you should first check out before buying a home.

Plumbing Issues to Look Out For When Buying Home

Below are five of the most common plumbing issues to keep an eye out for when purchasing a house. Looking out for each of these issues can save you a lot of trouble in the future, so be diligent and remember it is better to be safe than sorry!

1. Toilets

When visiting a home you’re interested in buying, make sure to flush all the toilets and check if the water is going down properly. You should also be on the lookout for any discoloration or spots on the floor around the toilet since leaks can quickly rot the floor.

Toilet related plumbing issues can be an expensive and lengthy fix for new homeowners. Save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches by carefully expecting the toilet and its plumbing.

2. Water Stains

Look at the ceilings and if there are any brown stains, it’s highly likely that there’s a leaking pipe or there’s a leak in the roof. If you notice this, you need to find out whether it was caused by a previously repaired problem. If there was no work done, then it’s probably an issue you’d have to fix later on.

The best-case scenario is that it is just a cosmetic stain and the repair has already been done. In the worst-case scenario, there was a bad leak and there is an unknown structural issue due to a rotten beam or warped flooring.

3. Water Heater

Replacing a water heater is expensive. Thus, if you don’t want to take on that extra cost, you have to make sure that the existing water heater does not have any issues. To know this, ask how old the unit is. If it’s more than 10 years old, then it’s near the end of its life.

Additionally, lookout for any signs of rust, dampness, and lack of hot water. Make sure to check in and around the bottom of the unit’s drainage basin as this is where a lot of the issues usually reside. Also, check around the outside of the drainage basin to see if there’s damage or dampness as this is usually a strong sign of a previous leak.

4. Leaks

When doing your inspection of a house, go to the bathroom, kitchen, and basement. Turn off the faucets and check the water meter. If it’s still turning, there’s a leak somewhere and this can turn into a serious problem for you in the future. This is one of the worst things to discover but also arguably one of the checks that could save you the most money in the future. A leaking pipe can lead to all sorts of issues, from rotting wooden beams to broken electrical circuits.

You will need a plumber to help identify the exact location of the leak. They will be able to determine the extent of the leak and the potential damage it has caused. If it has been a longstanding leak, there could be some serious issues to contend with.

5. Sewer Lines

For this plumbing issue, you’d be needing the expertise and equipment of professionals. See, before buying a home, you need to make sure that the storm and sanitary sewers are all working properly. To do that, you will need to schedule a sewer camera inspection from a plumber Burwood company or other Sydney local plumbers.

If you are buying an older home with trees in the surrounding, this is important so you can make sure that there is no tree root infestation in the lines. On the other hand, if you are looking at newer homes, roots may not be an issue. However, there are new homes that are at risk of the sewer line breaking at the foundation wall. While this takes a while to happen, it is best to know if such a risk exists in the home you are buying. 

Seek Advice from Professionals

While you can already pinpoint some of the potential plumbing issues of a home, it is still best if you schedule a professional plumbing inspection before buying or making an offer. Houses are incredibly expensive and buying one is a lengthy and stressful process. Do not cut corners and seek advice from all required professionals. Even if you have the slightest of issues it is well worth your time to get things checked out properly.

A licensed and experienced plumber can check if everything is working properly and if there are repairs needed to be done. If there are, you’d immediately know how much it will be, and you can evaluate whether or not you are willing to add that to your total cost.

If you need a professional plumber in the Burwood area or anywhere around Sydney, give Inspired Plumbing a call at (02) 9190 6764. We can arrange an in-depth inspection of fixtures, drains, sewer lines, toilets, and pipes to help you make an informed choice.

White has been the favorite theme of American kitchens for a long time. From cabinets to countertops and subway tiles, every corner delved in its purity and elegance. Occasionally, there have been departures from this theme, but these are few and far between as they could not sustain as this shade. You can think of turquoise and pink colors that had a moment after World War II or harvest gold and avocado green from the 60s to 70s. Regardless of these crazes, the white made its appearance in kitchen design for its default light and brightening effect.

However, of late, a new color seems to have entered this space even without any historical connection, and it cannot be anything else than black. From 2015, black started gaining ground in the kitchens.

Urban households’ interest in glossy black cabinets, black marble workstations with white hints, black flooring, and black appliances is a mere reflection. The manufacturing companies noticed this change in customer behavior and came up with their sleek range of kitchen appliances and fixtures to tap into its potential.

Hence, you can say a kitchen faucet in black is the result of this latest trend.

Still, there can be some reservations from your end about this choice. You may doubt if it can enjoy a mainstream status without ending up as a flash in the pan. While your concerns can be valid to a certain degree, it essential to realize that the enthusiasm about a black kitchen sink faucet is unlikely to peter out for various reasons. Let’s unravel them to determine why you don’t have to worry about choosing it as a partner for your sink.

The magic of black color in kitchen design

The most comfortable part about this vibrant hue is its ability to pop out even amidst the most colorful surroundings. You can have wood cabinets in lighter tones and a matching sink to align with the designated corner. However, when you add a black faucet there, it can only break in to create a mix-and-match appeal, lending an authentic creative feel to the whole space. If you have an oversized farmhouse or under-mount sink, you can get a tall commercial-style faucet in matte black to complement its aura and strength. However, one thing that would need your attention is the clearance between the top of the tap and the overhead shelf storage.

The commercial faucets are well-known for their imposing height and curved neck. You cannot install one if there isn’t sufficient room to accommodate its tall structure.

Anyway, another reason why black can persist is its ability to evoke personal taste and personality. The use of black color can be a symbol of your passion for a particular design. It can reflect your risk-taking streak. Hence, having a black faucet in your kitchen can somewhere echo the daring side of your existence. You may not immediately know it, but this cannot escape your friends and guests’ attention. It would not be a surprise if someone comments on your choice to be quite bold after coming across a black sink faucet in your kitchen.

As far as aesthetic consideration goes, black may be a new entry into kitchen decors, but it has been fashionable, just like white clothing. You wear black when you have to look formal and sophisticated. Since it is also versatile, you can pair it with anything to arrive at the right sartorial choice. Similarly, when it comes to decorating or upgrading your cooking area, you can depend on this shade to produce the same effect. For example, adding a black sink faucet as tall as 18 inches can be more than enough to attain your décor goals, regardless of you desire your sink area to have a cohesive or contrasting presence.

If you wish to expand this shade’s use, you can consider playing with a few surrounding elements. Your backsplash, cabinets, and countertops can be black. However, the sink has to be white or some other lighter tone to stand out and be in the company of a black kitchen tap. You can place rope chairs and French pottery in the backdrop to downplay the black’s strong visual influence a bit, though.

The interior designers feel black can be the most sought-after bold hue of all. You can rely on it to be visible in any backdrop, whether it consists of pure white, woods, metals, or concretes. The matte finish and polished surfaces make you feel at home. And matte finish in black is incredibly distinctive as it embodies the charm of subtle and earthy tones. Due to this, when you combine it with shiny surfaces in the kitchen, it infuses a sense of balance effortlessly.

The commercial black sink faucet in black

Commercial faucets can be the pride of any busy kitchen and restaurant. However, even if you are a home chef, you can have it in your cooking zone to soak up its unmistakable professional appeal. Since these models usually come with single-handle, you will have to make sure you are comfortable with this format. If you have been using double handle models, switching to this type of functionality can take a bit of time to acclimatize.

As such, the debate about the relevance of black should not bother you much if you are careful about its application. Going with an all-black theme can be tremendously risky. But you can alleviate it by being judicious about its use. To be precise, choosing a black sink faucet can be a perfect solution in any situation. Although this trend is not going anywhere, you can still trust your choice to be a long-lasting addition.

Make sure you visit only trusted stores for shopping. They can provide you with the right options at reasonable prices. You can also have faith in their design and features to be aesthetically and functionally superior, which may be tough to expect from anywhere else.

So, what are you planning to do? If you want to play safe and not miss the trend, then opting for black in the form of a sink faucet can be wise.

We use plumbing every day, yet very few of us know much at all about plumbing.

Did you know that there are different types of plumbers? This can make hiring the right plumber for the job a difficult task.

Check out our guide to the different types of plumbers and what they can do for you.

The Types of Plumbers

There are two important ways we differentiate the types of plumbers. First is the scale of the job – commercial, residential, or service and repair. The second is job type, water supply plumbers and sanitation plumbers.

Here is our guide to all you need to know about the different types of plumbers.

Commercial Plumbers

Commercial plumbers work on large commercial jobs. They will install, maintain, and repair tanks and pipes in commercial buildings, such as schools, large shopping malls, hospitals, and factories.

Commercial plumbing tends to be more complex than residential plumbing. A commercial plumber will usually manage systems over many floors with more complicated water systems, which can include large scale waste removal.

Residential Plumbers

Residential plumbers install, repair and service all plumbing systems in our homes.

They also work on construction sites for residential houses, where many residential plumbers complete their apprenticeships and gain experience.

Residential plumbers service simpler systems than their commercial counterparts and use a less diverse range of tools and equipment.

Service and Repair Plumbers

A service and repair plumber is the plumber we are most familiar with. They are your master plumber.

Service and repair plumbers repair and maintain plumbing systems. These plumbers are trained and experienced in problem-solving and fixing plumbing issues.

They are experts in jobs like fixing reduced pressure, clogging, cleaning, servicing, and leakages. They don’t install water heaters, re-pipe a house or conduct large-scale renovations.

Water Supply Plumbers

Water supply plumbers install and repair water tanks in places like wet rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

They will also fit deferred sanitation systems and excess pipes. As well as connecting these pipes to their respective tanks and outlets. They also unclog sanitary and kitchen plumbing systems.

Sanitary Plumbers

The most contracted plumbers are sanitary plumbers. These plumbers will take care of everything related to sanitary systems, such as sanitary pipes, tanks, and plumbing systems.

Sanitary plumbers will undertake a range of plumbing tasks. Unblocking sanitary jams, installing bathrooms and toilet pipes, bathtub and shower installations, plus maintenance and removal are the most common tasks they deal with.

A qualified sanitary plumber can also fit boilers and water heating systems for toilets and showers, along with fitting suspended drains.

The Right Plumber for You

Not all plumbers have the same skills and expertise. In fact, there are a wide range of plumbers, and finding the right one can be a challenge.

Using this guide to identify the different types of plumbers available means you won’t have any issues getting the right plumber for the job.

If you found this article helpful be sure to check out some of our other articles.

If you have a project involving tubes, chances are, you might need to cut them.

Yet, as you know, many tubes consist of either hard-to-cut materials. How should you go about getting through them?

Fortunately, there are different tube cutting technologies out there that can assist you. But how do you choose the one with the best features?

We’ll go into all of that below.

Different Types Of Tube Cutting

There are many different types of tube cutting. The one you need will depend on the type of material you are trying to cut and its wall thickness.

Let’s go into the different types.

Band Saw Cutting

This is the most common tube cutting method. Often, people use it for cutting high volumes of material.

It consists of an uninterrupted band of metal rotating on two wheels. Its edges are available in multiple different versions, ensuring you will get the best results for your project.

Band saws can cut metal in either a horizontal or vertical fashion. They also have the capability to cut into different shapes. This makes them a good investment if you have other projects that need to be cut differently.

However, if the material you are working with has thin walls, band saws might not be best for you.

Cold Sawing

Does your material have thin walls?

Then you might want to consider cold sawing.

Cold saws work by spritzing a lubricating mist and then cutting with a wheel blade. They can only handle smaller diameters, however.

Some models can handle a tube up to 3.5 inches in diameter. Yet, most models operate best when the diameter of the cut material remains around 1.75 inches.

Shearing

Need something that will cut through your materials no matter the wall thickness? Consider getting a tube shear.

Tube shears can cut any type of material well, regardless of the thickness of its walls.

Also, tube shears have the capability of producing 7,000 parts an hour. This makes them perfect for companies needing to produce large volumes.

Laser Cutting

Lasers cutting machines remain perfect for people who want super precise cuts.

Controlled by automation equipment, they use heat to sear through hard materials. Often, operators use them as assistants, setting them to run continuously. This frees the employee to accomplish other tasks.

Laser cutting has one major downside: it can be extremely expensive. However, many people consider the high-quality final products worth it.

Lathe Cutting

Want to try an old school method of cutting?

Operators work lathe cutting machines by feeding the material through a spindle. The machine then calculates the specific dimensions needed. The material is rotated and cut.

Lathe machines can take up to an hour to set up, though, and they can only handle one project at a time.

Ready To Complete More Projects?

Now that you’ve decided on which type of tube cutting to use, it’s time to get on to those projects.

We specialize in helping you make your projects and your home the best they can be. If you need more advice, just read the rest of our articles!

As of 2020, the average age of all sewer pipes in the United States is 45 years. Cast iron pipes in hundreds of towns and counties across the country are over a hundred years old.

It’s a huge crisis, with bursting pipes and leaks causing a major public health scare.

Knowing that your sewer system is crumbling can give you sleepless nights. Sewer leaks can cause a lot of damage and inconvenience. Worse still, these leaks are associated with serious health risks, including the spread of deadly pathogens.

One way to address the problem is through sewer pipe relining. Over the years, this approach to dealing with sewer line problems has gained massive popularity compared to traditional pipe repair.

In today’s feature, we tell you why so many Americans are opting for trenchless sewer pipe relining over conventional pipe repair solutions.

Read on to learn more.

1. It’s Cost-Effective

Some homeowners opt to replace damaged sewer pipes entirely. While this approach helps solve the problem, it can prove significantly costly.

Pipe replacement requires you to hire a plumbing company to dig into your driveway or yard to remove the problematic pipes and replace them with new ones. All that work requires heavy equipment and a lot of labor. Once the replacement is done, you’ll need to worry about the cost of getting your landscape into its original shape.

Trenchless pipe lining is a lot less expensive. The contractor recoats your failing sewer pipes with an epoxy liner, and the job is done. You thus get to save significantly on labor and equipment.

2. It Saves Time

As you can imagine, digging to reach pipes, replacing the damaged ones, and replacing the soil can take a lot of time. Getting your yard to look like it did before takes even longer. In some cases, traditional pipe repair and replacement can take weeks.

Putting your life on hold for all that time is hugely inconveniencing. One of the best things about a sewer pipe relining system is that it takes a short time. When you work with a seasoned contractor, the entire pipe relining task should take less than a day.

3. It’s Less Intrusive

The biggest attraction of sewer pipe relining is that there’s no excavation of the ground. With traditional pipe repair, you’ll most likely need a backhoe to dig an ugly, deep trench right into your backyard.

If the pipe to be repaired goes beyond your property into the street, you may need to involve the local authorities first, which can take even more time. There’s also the long, annoying process of having to re-route general traffic.

Trenchless pipe relining does not involve all of the above. The contractor does the job quickly and is out of the area in no time. It’ll be like they were never there.

4. It Increases the Life of Your Sewer Pipes

Cast iron sewer pipe relining is incredibly durable. Basically, you’re not removing the old pipe, but relining it with a heavy-duty material.

When the job is done, you’ll have a cast iron pipe within another pipe that’s double the strength of the original pipe. What’s even better, the increase in diameter is negligible. The renewed sewer pipe is corrosion-free and can last up to half a century.

5. It’s Environmentally Friendly

As you can imagine, all that digging in traditional pipe repair significantly disturbs the environment. But more than that, traditional pipe repair involves processes that release contaminants into the environment.

On the other hand, relining a cast iron sewer pipe is eco-friendly as no added chemicals are involved. The epoxy material used for relining is environmentally friendly, and there’s hardly any waste. The best part is that your yard remains intact all the while.

6. It Is Safer

Trenches in the ground are a health hazard. People can fall into them and get injured. The piled heaps of soil make the area difficult to traverse, especially for children and pets. Pipe relining eliminates this concern entirely.

Choosing the Right Sewer Pipe Relining Contractor

Now that you’ve seen the benefits of sewer pipe relining, you’re probably interested in doing the project next time your sewer pipes have a problem. Working with the right sewer system contractor is essential to getting the biggest bang for your buck. Here are four things you should consider while choosing the right contractor for your needs.

The Company’s Credentials

The first and most important step when choosing a sewer pipe relining company is to make sure that the company is authorized to operate in your area. Check whether they have a valid license, and inquire whether their plumbers have the required qualifications for the job. You also want to work with a contractor who is insured.

The Contractor’s History

Sewer pipe relining is a sensitive project, and you want to work with someone who can get the job done right the first time. Check whether the contractor has a proven history of offering excellent service. Ask for references, and check online reviews to establish the contractor’s reputation.

Location

Does the contractor have a physical office within your area? This is important in case you encounter problems after the pipe relining project. You want to be able to reach the contractor as quickly as possible.

If a contractor doesn’t have a nearby physical location, how can you count on them to promptly show up in your residence with the necessary equipment and personnel during an emergency?

Technology They Use

The technology a contractor uses determines how quickly and efficiently they can get the job done. Check the equipment and products the company uses. Top sewer contractors go out of their way to use the latest, most eco-friendly products.

Reline Your Sewer Pipes for Best Results

A leaking sewer pipe can cause a major inconvenience in your home and lead to property damage at times. Opting for sewer pipe relining helps fix the problem quickly and cost-effectively.

Would you like to learn more about trenchless sewer pipe relining? Please keep visiting our blog.