The Cincinnati home buying market is heating up for summer sales. If you think you’ve found your dream home, make sure your home inspector provides a robust plumbing inspection, including a video inspection of the main drain line. Plumbing in an older home can provide a multi-thousand-dollar negotiating point for buyers.

Below are a few points to keep in mind:

1. If you are considering buying a home where the prior purchaser has ‘backed out’ because of a failed home inspection, you may be able to purchase the home inspection for a discounted rate and use it to your advantage. It’s common for first-time home buyers to be overwhelmed at that thought of a whole-house re-pipe. Don’t be scared away; a good plumber can manage the re-pipe job for you for a few thousand dollars. If a homeowner has lost a sale over a re-pipe need, they may be willing to negotiate in your favor.

2. Is the sewage stack made of aging cast iron?
If so, a re-pipe will likely consist of removing the old cast iron and replacing it with modern piping materials (such as CPVC).

3. Obtain a video inspection of the tile from the house to the street.
Older pipes were typically made from clay, steel or tile – materials that are prone to crumble over time, especially in areas (such as Ohio) with cold winters and freezing/thawing activity in the ground. If the home you are eyeing was built before the 1980s, it is likely that the pipes are made of clay, and overdue for repair or replacement.

Additionally, if the home you are considering is in a neighborhood with mature trees, it’s possible that the tile from the house to the street has been invaded by tree roots. When that happens, pipes can become cracked, clogged or prone to toilet paper blockages. Tree roots are a real headache for homeowners.

Lastly, if the home has a driveway drain, check the drain after a hard rain. If water puddles around the drain grate, it’s highly likely the underground drain tile is broken and excavation may be needed to repair it.

4. Ask the realtor or homeowner about the frequency of toilet clogs or if a backup through the basement drain has ever occurred.
Frequent toilet clogs can either mean that a toilet replacement is needed or can be an indicator of a clogged main drain. Either reason can mean costly repairs to a new home buyer.

Water You Waiting For? Buying a home is an artful negotiation and plumbing is a strong negotiating point. An investment in a sewer video inspection is worth considering — the cost to repair or replace a sewer line can easily run $1500 or more, depending on whether excavation is needed. With an inspection, you can either achieve peace of mind about the condition of your pipes or you’ll have a negotiating point (and a video) regarding upcoming necessary repairs. Call or Contact  Ray today for a free quote (513) 396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Last weekend, as we jiggled the toiled handled again (and again and again) to make it stop running, we felt it might be time to replace the toilet. Got in the car, went to the Big Box Hardware Store, and did a Price Check. Ouch. We quickly realized a good new toilet is an investment in time, money, and labor.

Regroup.

We had two approaches: For a few dollars, we could replace the tank parts – an easy DIY project. On the other hand, we could purchase a new toilet for around $125 (low-end model) – $400 (better model with more features). Although a new toilet adds cheer and cleanliness to the bathroom, it’s a big job. Toilets are heavy, awkward and what do you do with the old one? (Hint: It’s hard to find a community that welcomes planters made from old toilets).

Checklist: When do you need to replace a toilet?
– When the porcelain is cracked or broken (Hint: small cracks can leak large amounts of water)
– When you want to upgrade a better model/style (one piece vs. two piece unit, elongated bowl, quieter flush mechanisms, )
– When the interior is scratched and difficult to clean
– If the old toilet design is prone to creating clogs (which can be true of some low-end models)

After reviewing the reasons for toilet replacement, we opted for the “repair” route. Our repair was simple – it only required opening the tank and swapping the old parts for new.

Had we needed to actually “lift” the toilet to either re-seat it or replace the wax ring gasket underneath, we would’ve given the extra step of purchasing a new toilet further consideration. As it stands, we took the easy route and we’re happy with our success.

Water You Waiting For? If your toilet wobbles when you sit upon it, leaks, has a scratched bowl that is difficult to clean, or frequently clogs, it may be time to consider a replacement. Call Ray today and seek his thoughts on whether a new toilet is in your future. (513) 396-5300, or Contact us. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service. .

Our soggy winter has morphed into a soggy spring. Our backyard is soup. In Cincinnati, this means one thing: wet basements. For readers with sump pumps (or readers who would like one), a quick FAQ on sump pumps seems like a good read.

Q: What is a sump pump?
A: Many people think the “sump pump” is a device, but actually they are two things. A sump is a pit in which liquid collects. The pump is the device used to pump the liquid out of the sump. Typically, sumps are connected to drain tile that drains the footings of one’s house, generally under the entire basement.

There are 2 types of sump pumps: pedestal and submersible pumps
According to the North Dakota Extension Agency, “The pedestal pump has the motor on top of the pedestal and the pump at the base, which sits on the bottom of the sump. The motor is not meant to get wet. The pump is turned on and off by a ball float. One advantage of this type of pump is that the on/off switch is visible so the action of the ball float can be easily seen.

Submersible pumps are designed to be submerged in water and sit on the bottom of the sump. The on/off switch is attached to the pump and can be either a ball float connected to an internal pressure switch or a sealed, adjustable, mercury-activated floating switch.”

Both types of pumps should have a check valve on the water outlet pipe so water doesn’t flow back in the sump when the pump is not running.

Q: I don’t have a sump pump, but my basement leaks during heavy rains. Do I need a sump pump?
A: If the water flows to the floor drain, then backs up or drains slowly, a sump pump may solve your wet basement problems. The experts at the North Dakota Extension Agency suggest “small pumps, sometimes referred to as “skimmer” pumps, are designed to sit on a flat surface and pump when water on the floor is only 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. They can often be used with….a 50-foot garden hose run out through a basement window. [The hose] will usually carry the water far enough away from the house. You can remove more water by taking the cover off the floor drain and placing the pump in the drain bowl—these pumps are usually small enough to fit in the bowl. In emergencies where electric service is off, these pumps can be powered by a small gasoline generator.”

A Quick Sump Pump Inspection is Time Well Spent
If your pump has been in place for more than a year (or loud, periodic thumping noises are coming out of the basement and it’s not the children), we recommend a quick visual inspection:

  1. First, unplug the sump pump to eliminate the risk of electric shock.
  2. Remove the pump cover, if possible. Note: if you cannot remove the cover, call a plumber.
  3. Look into the sump pit (use a flashlight for a better view). If the water in the pit has an oily appearance, it’s possible the pump is leaking coolant. Contact a reputable plumber immediately.
  4. Remove any foreign objects or debris that may have accumulated in the sump pit.
  5. Examine the pump float and make sure it moves freely
  6. Test the pump by plugging it back in and slowly pouring water into the pit until the float rises and the pump kicks on. Listen to the motor – is it running smoothly? It should not race, sputter or be overly noisy. Observe the pump until the excess water is removed from the pit.

Water You Waiting For? If you suspect your sump pump may need an official inspection or replacement, call Ray at Allied Reddi-Rooter before the spring thaw (and eventually, the spring rains).. He’ll listen, provide a free estimate, and has a trained staff that can assist on your schedule. Call today: 513-396-5300, or Contact us. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.