Whether you are a homebuyer or are looking to sell your home, you should have a hydrostatic pressure test conducted before sitting down at closing to sign the paperwork. No one wants to go through the process of finding a new home only to have the purchase suspended due to an issue with the sewer line or other plumbing in the property. Let’s take a deeper look at the hydrostatic pressure test and why it’s important when buying or selling a home.
What is a Hydrostatic Pressure Test?
Before we can dig into the importance of the hydrostatic pressure test we need to explain what exactly it is. This test helps to find potential leaks, cracks, and issues with the strength of pipes, tanks, and other plumbing equipment in the home.
How is the Hydrostatic Pressure Test Conducted?
This test utilizes a camera and a testball that are lowered into the sewer pipe connected to the house in question. The sewer will need to be cleaned out before the test can take place. Once the testball is inserted in the sewer it will be inflated along the sewer perimeter. Water will then be added to the pipes.
The person conducting the test will monitor the flow of the water at a shower or bathroom on the first floor of the home. If the water begins to decrease it is a sign that there is a leak somewhere in the sewer system of the home.
This will result in additional tests that will help find the location of the leak. These tests are known as isolation and flow. These additional tests will also help determine if the sewage is able to escape the pipes of the home when the service conditions are normal.
The Necessity of Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
Hydrostatic pressure testing has become much more common over the last handful of years. While some jurisdictions still do not require this test, more and more are beginning to see the value it adds to a home inspection prior to sale.
The hydrostatic pressure test can find the smallest of leaks in a sewer system, hopefully preventing thousands of dollars in damage before it is too late. This test might also detect a leak that otherwise didn’t present any symptoms to the homeowner.
It’s always best to find issues with a home you are planning to buy prior to signing on the dotted line. That’s the main reason that home inspections are required before the property can change hands.
Finding an issue with the sewer pipe in the home prior to selling can save you a lot of headaches. If you discover an issue with the sewer before the sale goes through you can get it fixed ahead of time. If the issue is found after the homebuyer moves in, the situation could very well turn into a legal fight over undisclosed issues.
Are you getting ready to look for a new home in Mesquite? Do you plan to list your home on the Mesquite, TX market in the near future? If your answer was yes to one of these questions you should contact Metroplex Leak & Line Locators today to schedule a hydrostatic pressure test.
