A burst pipe is a homeowner's nightmare, but ask any plumber and rare is the owner who pro-actively replaces old or suspect pipes.

B次元官网网址淵ou see $50,000 renovations to a house, but you have to think, the house is like your body: just because you put new clothes on, itB次元官网网址檚 whatB次元官网网址檚 going on inside that tells you how healthy you are,B次元官网网址� says John Hurley, owner-operator of Olympic Plumbing and Draining.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the same with plumbing. You never see proactive homeowners when it comes to plumbing. ItB次元官网网址檚 all reactionary.B次元官网网址�

HurleyB次元官网网址檚 crew handles calls all over Greater Victoria including a fair share of emergency calls for burst pipes in Saanich.

Whether itB次元官网网址檚 the sewer line, main water line or a drain, the costs to fix and replace the pipes escalate quickly. To avoid any immediate plumbing issues upon moving in, have a plumber do a camera inspection as part of the purchase agreement.

B次元官网网址淧lumbers can run a camera through the main lines and make sure there are no serious catastrophes waiting to happen. I especially recommend it when there are trees,B次元官网网址� Hurley says.

One stray root can cost thousands and force an insurance claim to cover damaged property. Insurance claims are only going end up costing more in premiums.

B次元官网网址淪ome people are lucky. Plumbers might find the burst right away if itB次元官网网址檚 easy. Sometimes not, and sometimes it will only make sense to replace or upgrade pipes when the yard and/or house are opened up, to save money down the road.B次元官网网址�

The same goes for electrical work.

During a major plumbing refit, Hurley witnessed a house that was outfitted with new fixtures and outlet. But upon closer inspection, the homeowner realized the wiring was still 80 to 90 per cent knob and tube.

B次元官网网址淗ouse inspectors do their best, but sometimes you need to spend that extra few hundred dollars on a trade professional who will find major problems,B次元官网网址� Hurley says.

After all, thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing worse than a new homeowner immediately draining their reserve account to cover a flood disaster.

B次元官网网址淲ould you buy a house if the roof was less than 95 per cent intact?B次元官网网址� Hurley says. B次元官网网址淚t should be the same for plumbing, but itB次元官网网址檚 out of sight, out of mind until something goes wrong,B次元官网网址� he adds.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com