Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There are many joys associated with purchasing a new home in Mexico, but exploring the possibilities of buying an older house opens the doors to creativity. Anita Dabbs, a real estate agent with Ron Morgan Properties in Bucerías who specializes in buying and selling older homes, explains more about 'The Wires and Pipes of Home Remodeling' Read Part 1

You may not be flexing your creative muscles while sifting through the debris of chipped walls and broken cement, but you will certainly have a new canvas to work with once you have the updated electrical and plumbing lines in place.

"I cannot stress enough how important this is," says Anita Dabbs, Estate Agent with Ron Morgan Properties, who specializes in buying and selling older homes in Bucerias, Mexico, which is just north of Puerto Vallarta. "The finished floor plan needs to be finalized whether you are doing a complete renovation at one time or working room by room. The wires, tubes, cables and pipes must be inside the walls and under the floor before you even think about decorating." The last thing you will want to do is bust up your brand new tile floor because a drain pipe was omitted.

In Mexico, the plumber and electrician is usually the same guy. Think of him as your internal house surgeon and he'll keep the inner workings flushing smoothly. Between the house inspector, the plumber and Anita, they will be able to explain the plumbing considerations. Think about where you want water, effective drainage (where you don't want water) and how much water pressure you would like.

Right out of the pipe, water pressure in Mexico is nowhere near what it is in the US or Canada. Don't think you are just going to turn on the tap and have a stream of success. There are several water system options and you need to consider the amount of water you will be using every day and whether you desire a pounding shower.

Take the water the way it flows. Seapal is the water company and you are at their mercy. If demand is high your water pressure will be low, and they shut off the supply without notice for a variety of reasons every now and then.

A water tank, tinaco (tee-nah-coe) is placed on the roof. Most are black and can often be seen sitting on top of cement pedestals, because it is a gravity system. The tank has a mechanism, much like a toilet, so it is always full.

An underground cistern. There are several sizes and styles so you can have a greater reservoir. The cistern is connected to a water pump, which sucks water out of the cistern and gets it to the house.

A water pressure system so there will always be a steady, powerful flow. The water travels from the cistern and through the water pressure system, which works with a water pump to push the water through the pipes. Think of it as a power hose for your house. This is great for multi-level homes and sprawling estates.

Depending on what is already in place you may not want to change a thing. These are just some of the options. The home inspection should point out any leaks that require repair. Check the shower heads because there's lots of mineral build up so you might only have to change the shower head. Monsoon season is the wrong time to think about runoff. Be sure all drainage routes are sufficient, inside and outside of the house, including the toilet.

If you want a water purification system so you can drink tap water, be sure to install it while you are piping in any plumbing changes. It is a bit more costly if you want purified water throughout the house, but the work definitely needs to be completed during this initial phase since the system works in tandem with a cistern. However, a partial system for just the kitchen sink can be added at any time.

This sums up wires and pipes, and after reading both parts you hopefully get the idea about proper planning to save headaches.

About Anita Dabbs

Anita bought her Zona Dorada home in 1998, rehabbed it to her desires and eventually moved to it full time in 2004. She knows the town, the properties and specific blocks intimately and is the perfect estate agent choice, especially if you are looking for an older home that is only awaiting your personal touch.

For more information, you can contact Anita at the Ron Morgan Properties office in Bucerías at (329) 298-0492, or by calling (314) 723-5187 from Canada or the US.

Ron Morgan Properties specializes in luxury real estate in the Marina Vallarta area and beyond to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita, as well as along the southern shores of Banderas Bay, from the Romantic Zone, Amapas and Conchas Chinas down to Mismaloya and even Costa Alegre. For more information, visit RonMorgan.net.

Click HERE to learn more about Ron Morgan Properties.