When buying a home you want to have it inspected. An inspection could turn up any number of issues that might need to be repaired before you buy the home or years down the road. An inspection is kind of like getting a physical from your doctor but on your home. You can see warning signs of things that you can work to correct before a major repair needs to be done.
However there are always things you can’t see that may cause damage and cost money and usually these issues are hidden by the home itself between the walls.
Signs of leaks or plumbing issues do not always mean a major repair is needed sometimes the only thing that is needed is a new seal in a faucet. Other signs are ones you should check out and have a professional check it out.
Smell: If you keep a moderately clean home and you still smell an odor it could be from a leak that has started to mildew.
Sight: Pay attention to your water bill. If you are used to seeing a monthly water bill of $40, then it jumps to $60 or $100, you might have a leak. Not all leaks will generate an outrageous water bill. Some leaks can go one for months without notice because they only drip.
Sound: What is that ticking sound? It could be your water meter, if you have a leak your meter is running.
Feel: Your home’s temperature could help you determine if you have a leak somewhere. Most homes you get accustom to the basement being cooler than the top flood because of heat rising, but if one room is more humid than others it could mean that there is a leak and its creating more humidity.
Sound: If you hear a drip or a spraying sound you’ve got a leak. If it is between the walls it might not be loud enough for you to actually hear it, but its there.
With the use of one of any of your 5 senses you can help detect a leak in your home.
Coverage: Understanding what kind of coverage you have with your homeowners policy is important. A drippy faucet isn’t covered by your homeowner’s policy, as it shouldn’t. A homeowner’s policy deductible is upwards $500 to $1000, to repair a leaky faucet it could be a $.10 washer replacement. Bankrate states that a homeowner’s policy with good leak coverage will cover all the damage from the leak, but it will not actually cover the cost to repair the leak itself. This is where your home warranty steps in. Your home warranty will cover the repair of the actual leak. Depending on how difficult the leak is to fix and where the leak is in your home the cost to repair the leak could be a simple service call or several hundred dollars.
You might only experience little plumbing issues, knowing that you are covered for a big one can put you at ease. Your homeowners policy will cover your home of any damage caused by a leak, but will not cover the cost to repair the leak itself. A home warranty will cover the cost of repairing the leak. Covering your home for the unexpected plumbing problems can help keep repairs and replacement costs down while owning your home.
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