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Troubleshooting Plumbing Issues in Your Albuquerque Home

by Sandi Pressley

Plumbing issues can range from the minor and annoying to the major and catastrophic. In Albuquerque, where the climate can swing from hot and dry to cold and freezing, your home's plumbing is always under stress. This guide will delve into common plumbing problems and provide a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting them in your Albuquerque home.

Identifying the Problem

The first step in any troubleshooting process is to identify the problem accurately. Common plumbing issues include:

- Dripping Faucets: This not only wastes water but can also increase your water bill over time.
- Slow Draining Sink: Often caused by a blockage that restricts water flow.
- Clogged Bath or Shower Drain: Usually due to hair and soap buildup in the drain.
- Clogged Toilet: Typically occurs when something that shouldn’t have been flushed ends up in the toilet.
- Running Toilet: Can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day if not fixed promptly.
- Leaky Pipes: More common in winter due to the freeze-thaw cycle but can occur any time.
- Low Water Pressure: Often a sign of a bigger issue like pipe corrosion or hidden leaks.
- Jammed Garbage Disposal: Usually a result of hard items or fibrous foods being disposed of improperly.
- Faulty Water Heater: Can lead to no hot water or insufficient hot water.

DIY Troubleshooting Tips

Once you've identified the issue, here are some general troubleshooting tips:

- For Dripping Faucets: Check if the washer inside the faucet handle needs replacing.
- For Slow Drains: Use a plunger or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clear blockages.
- For Clogged Drains: Remove the drain cover and clean out any accumulated debris.
- For Clogged Toilets: A plunger is often your first line of defense. If that doesn't work, a toilet auger might be necessary.
- For Running Toilets: Check the flapper valve and the fill tube; adjustments may be needed.
- For Leaky Pipes: Apply a pipe clamp or wrap waterproof tape around the leak as a temporary fix.
- For Low Water Pressure: Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral build-up.
- For Jammed Garbage Disposals: Press the reset button on the unit and try running it again. If it's still jammed, turn off the power and attempt to free the impeller with a hex key.
- For Faulty Water Heaters: Check the pilot light, thermostat, and heating elements.

When to Call a Professional

Some issues, however, are best left to professionals. These include:

- Major Pipe Leaks: If you're experiencing a significant leak, it's time to call a plumber.
- Sewer System Backup: This is a serious health hazard and requires immediate professional attention.
- Installation of New Pipes, Sinks, or Tubs: To ensure everything is up to code and properly installed.
- Water Heater Problems: If basic troubleshooting doesn't solve the issue, a professional should look at it.

Preventive Measures

Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to plumbing. Here are some preventive tips:

- Regular Maintenance: Regularly check your plumbing for any signs of wear and tear.
- Be Careful What Goes Down the Drain: Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Be mindful of what you put down your sink or garbage disposal.
- Insulate Your Pipes: This can prevent them from freezing and bursting in cold weather.
- Know Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Location: This is crucial in preventing a minor leak from becoming a major flood.

By following these troubleshooting and preventive tips, you can keep your Albuquerque home's plumbing in good working order. Remember, while DIY fixes can save you money, don't hesitate to call a professional when the job is beyond your skill set. Your home's plumbing is a critical system, and keeping it running smoothly is essential to your comfort and well-being. Stay vigilant, and don't let those plumbing issues dampen your spirits!

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Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team!

Selling a home in Albuquerque always involves an inspection. But when the inspector reports something amiss in the plumbing, sellers either panic or simply shrug it off.

If there are issues with the property, an inspector is sure to find those. For the most part, buyers will not commit to buying a home until it's been thoroughly vetted by an inspector.

It can be a hassle to make repairs after an inspection, and it will certainly eat into your profits. But what kind of repairs could you potentially be expected to make?

Check the Contract

In order to avoid being forced into repairs you don't want to make, you should check your contract.

Generally, you shouldn't sign a contract until you clearly understand what it stipulates. This is especially true when it comes to repairs.

Thankfully, not everything that the home inspector suggests you fix must be fixed. Reports are not to-do lists.

There are three kinds of repairs: necessary, optional, and debatable.

Required Repairs after a Home Inspection

Prior to releasing funds to complete the purchase, lenders will require some repairs. Repairs are usually needed because of structural issues, safety concerns, and code violations.

An inspection may uncover mold or mildew that poses a safety risk. Unrepaired leaks in water mains and damaged plumbing systems can cause mold growth.

Bob Oates Plumbing recommends all clients perform routine plumbing maintenance on an annual basis after a water main breaks, because an undetected leak can lead to high water bills, mold, mildew, and rot.

If such problems are discovered during the home inspection, you will likely be responsible for fixing them.

A repair credit is often offered to buyers, allowing them to perform the repairs themselves. Taking this route means you won't have to supervise the repairs.

Repairs that are Not Required

Normal wear and tear or cosmetic damage is not the seller's responsibility.

In some contracts, the buyer will be restricted to requesting only the above-mentioned required repairs and cannot request cosmetic repairs. However, the seller is also liable for any issues or defects discovered during an inspection if state laws govern that matter.

To know which repairs you will be responsible for, you should understand your local ordinances.

Negotiable Home Repairs

Repairs that are negotiable fall somewhere between required and optional repairs. Market conditions affect how they're treated.

There is more flexibility for the seller in a seller's market. If the market is hot, the contract may specify that the buyer will buy the home "as is" or may request the buyer request a limited inspection only. The seller would not be obligated to pay for repairs if the contract stipulates such language.

Such strict rules would not be allowed in a normal marketplace.

Sellers are responsible for negotiating these repairs. Home warranties are offered by some, while others offer value-added incentives to buyers.

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

 

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Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team


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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com