It probably seemed like a wonderful investment opportunity. Purchase an older, and do some work on it during the weekends. Then once renovations are completed, instant profit. But did you get the plumbing inspected before you settled on the contract? Here are some things you may not know about plumbing in older homes that could cost you.

Brushable sealant is great for connecting joints which aren’t glued or soldered where you don’t want to stick to tape. You can find types which are specific for threaded plastics or galvanized steel, ensuring your connection is as tight as possible. Plumbing stores or even big box home stores will carry both products and can also offer you advice.

It’s important to know how to turn off the water in your home in case the worst happens. For example, if your bathroom sink started leaking, do you know how to stop it? Walk around your home and find all the shut-off valves for each set of pipes and write them down. Create a map so you can always have a reference if necessary.

If you’re planning on connecting galvanized steel to copper pipes you need to use a dielectric union to make sure that the steel doesn’t corrode. It is made of both steel and copper and will ensure that the union is tight, safe, and lasts as long as your house is standing.

When dealing with a clogged drain and no snake is available, use a hanger to clear the clog. By straightening the hanger and bending a small hook at the end, you can create a long enough tool for most drains. Slide the hangar in as deep as possible and poke in and out repeatedly till the clog is cleared.

Insulating pipes in unheated areas of your house can save you the headache of burst pipes and flooding down the road. If you find that a room with pipes is especially cold, you should also use caulk to seal any holes in the walls, or any cracks around windows to ensure no drafts get in.

Over-tightening a pipe is as bad or worse than under-tightening it!! You can damage the threads and even crack the pipe, so be sure to tighten to the point of stopping leaks and nothing more. Hand-tightening is often enough to seal the joint completely and ensure that it won’t leak.

Use a hair trap on your bathroom drain to make sure it doesn’t end up clogging your plumbing. A simple grate can be placed over the drain and hair can be pulled off each time you shower. If your pipes do end up plugging you can buy a snaking tool which will go down and grab all the hair for you.

Now that you are aware of the pitfalls of older style plumbing in some houses, you will be able to avoid making costly purchase mistakes in the future. Always get the plumbing inspected before purchasing a property if you are in any doubt as to the state of it. Your bank balance will thank you for that decision in the long term.