Lesson learnt - Galvanised Water Pipes

Seems after every property purchase I learn more about what to lookout for on the next property. Settled on a North Brisbane property before Christmas and just spent a week up there with the family painting/clearing/cleaning/landscaping (has a pool which kept the kids entertained all week).

Not sure why but both myself and the building inspector didnt check the kitchen sink tap but we get up there day after boxing day and no cold water! also very little water pressure in bathrooms.
After ringing around for a plumber between Christmas and New Years we get one that lives around the corner. He spots the issue straight away, galvanised pipes which have rusted and blocked in one direction to the kitchen and are almost blocked going the other direction to the bathrooms.
He very quickly spots that the original water mains coming in from the street (Galvanised) have been cut off at the slab and a new mains have been brought in from the street so it's not a recent issue. The previous owner must have struggled with low water pressure for years.

To make life difficult the house is not your conventional construction type, it's a flat roof design with some kind of 'architectural mini block' walls. Very hard to get into the ceiling space and wall cavity.
Luckily enough it has some funky suspended light box ceiling in the kitchen and bathroom which made it quite easy to run a new Rehau plastic water pipe from the mains to the kitchen.

So $600 later we have mains pressure at the kitchen, a cheap fix considering. Still need to address the pressure going to the bathrooms.

Lesson learnt....check water pressure at initial inspection and look for either copper pipes or galvanised pipes.

 

Or pvc if they've been upgraded.

 

Gal inside is a pita.
I had used to get rusty water come through from time to time, mainly after being away for a few days. I was lucky though it was just gal to the house then copper throughout. Quick cashie job sorted it out.

One thing with gal is you need to be careful if you are going to attempt a fix. Gal rusts up and you'll crack the pipe or connection before you un screw anything. You need an oxy to heat the fittings before trying to unscrew

 

It would also pay to have the lines into the bathrooms fixed because all the old gal pipework within the building will be the same and will cause you problems you don't want when the property is rented..Plus a least who ever drinks from those outlets will have clean water,rather then they get sick and you end up in a civil courtroom..