It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Crowley real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Crowley plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Crowley water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

Your garbage disposal should be treated the same way you treat your microwave, refrigerator, stove, countertop or anything else in the kitchen. It should be cleaned periodically to where it will avoid major maintenance in the future.

A clogged garbage disposal can lead to multiple problems, but before you make the call to one of our Fort Worth TX plumbers, we want to offer several tips for minor clog issues. A solution to your problem may be something as simple as using a common household item.

• Don’t overdo it: Most people either forget or simply don’t know that a disposal is used for disposing small amount of food. It is not made to dispose large bones or large amounts of anything. Overusing your disposal can lead to instant clogging issues.
• Ice and fruit: Don’t be afraid to throw a couple of ice cubes down the disposal. The cubes will grind and clean the blades. Citric fruit peels, such as oranges, lemons and limes, will provide a nice smell after the ice cubes do their job.
• When it doubt, use water: Cold water assists in quality maintenance. Go figure! Running cold water before, during and after disposal use will help to flush particles that can build in the system and give the disposal problems.

If any of these garbage disposal maintenance tips fail, it may be time for you to call a plumbing professional. Our Fort Worth plumbers specialize in all residential and commercial services, no matter how major or minor the task is. Call our Fort Worth TX plumbing company today, or visit us online for details.