Owning a property in such an idyllic location as Portugal, with its year-round sunshine and great beaches, not to mention being voted the number-one golf destination in Europe on more than one occasion, is a dream come true for many! It truly is a magical place to be, whether you’re living the expat life, or visiting regularly.
Property in Portugal has very high engineering standards too, with regulation that has constantly evolved over the past decade resulting in Portugal taking the lead in several areas of property development when compared to many of its European rivals.
One great example of this is in the area of plumbing, where for several years new properties have included the PEX tubing system as standard. It is made from cross-linked high density polyethylene polymer (HDPE), and is scientifically proven to be the most advanced plumbing material within the construction industry today.
Unlike the majority of properties in the UK, where the pipework is easily accessible under the floorboards or in the roof space, properties here in Portugal are traditionally constructed with all pipework set into the concrete floors, or as an integral part of the walls.
With the PEX tubing system, as and when the plumbing springs a leak, sections of tubing can simply be extracted and replaced without any disruption whatsoever – whereas with older more traditional iron pipe work, repairs can be a nightmare, often resulting in complete floor sections having to be broken up just to locate the source of a leak.
Therefore, repairs to older properties in Portugal can prove to be very costly, having to deal with all the disruption, demolition and redecoration that are necessary to return the property to its former habitable state. And it is impossible to guarantee that it will stop there. Once older properties begin to show their age with one leak, there will often be more to face in the future.
When problems occur with old iron pipework, the most viable solution is to condemn it, take the bull by the horns and invest in PEX tubing. This will also improve the quality of the water that comes out of your tap, which can be brown from the old iron pipes.
An investment in a new PEX system might be more expensive than repairing one leak in the short term, but it will save you a great deal of disruption and money in the long term.
Prospective buyers should not be discouraged from buying older properties. Often they can have more charm and character than their modern alternatives. However, it is worth noting that they are not without their potential problems, which should be carefully considered and factored into your offer/purchase price.
It’s a good idea to engage with a local reputable building company who can look over the property with you, giving you a good insight in to what you are letting yourself in for, before you decide to proceed with the purchase. It can also provide you with some good ammunition for the price negotiation.
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Brett Hawkins is the managing director of GMT 24:7, a local expert in all areas of general building and property maintenance, with offices in Lagos and Almancil. | www.gmt247.eu
