Are you planning on buying a new home? Whether you are a first-time home buyer or are moving from an old home to a new to you home or are simply investing in real estate, it is always important to carefully inspect the plumbing systems of a home. A plumbing professional is recommended to ensure that nothing is missed and before you sign off on the final paperwork, but you can definitely examine some of the items yourself as you look at a house. Here is a list of some of the things that you will want to take a look at:
- Tour the outside of the home and look carefully at the down spouts and drain tile around the perimeter of the house. Debris from the roof and foliage from trees can create blockages in the gutters. Roots can intrude into pipes and the ground will settle. Drainage pipes that are running away from the house can become blocked and if the drainage system around your home, then fails, rainwater can start to get into the crawl space or basement area of your house. Once you have moisture under your home, it will invite in unwanted pests such as rodents.
- Examine outdoor hose bibs and check their operation. Hose bibs can leak and if they do, it is often not detected because not everyone checks their outdoor hose bibs regularly. If hose bibs are leaking, property damage can occur with water building up in pools and then leaking into a foundation, again adding moisture into the basement or crawl space.
- Locate the main water shut off valve and ensure that it works correctly. If there is ever an emergency with water leaking or running where it should not be, you will need to shut off the water from the main shut off valve to prevent serious, long-term damage.
- Inspect the water heater. Look on the water heater tank to locate the manufacturer’s stamp and see what date it was manufactured. Water heaters have a limited life of roughly ten years and if the water heater is anywhere within the ten-year range, you will want to replace it soon before it fails and starts to leak. Leaking water can go undetected if no one is at home and the water can cause damage to the flooring and walls which can then lead to full replacement required or possible mold issues.
- Turn on the fixtures to check flow including all faucets and the shower head. No one wants to have to deal with damaged water lines. If the water flow has very low pressure and is a trickle, there could be a problem with the pressure tank if there is one installed. A professional plumber would be able to let you know if there is extensive work required and the approximate cost of that work. You will want to know if the problem can be rectified with a simple and low-cost fix or if the issue is more extensive and is going to cost a lot of money to repair. If the latter, this can save you some headaches or provide you with some bargaining power when you make an offer on the home.
- Get into the basement or crawl space and have a look around. Look for any leaks, water stains on the ceiling, floors or walls and look for pipes that are not installed correctly. If you happen to notice a moldy odour, it could be an indication of a long-time leak that could entail extensive and costly repairs that you may not wish to undertake. If you have a home inspector, take a look or a professional plumber, they could advise you better on what you are dealing with.
- Find out the age of the pipes and the materials that are in place in the home. Certain types of materials need to be replaced and have a life. For example, galvanized pipes are only reliable for around thirty years before they should be replaced. Plastic pipes that are newer are generally quite safe, but you will want to check with a professional plumber to make absolutely certain about that.
- Flush all Toilets. When you flush the toilet, it should have a full, robust flush that clears the entire bowl. If the flush is weak, it could be an indication that there is a leak somewhere. Consequently, if the tank takes too long to refill, there is a problem with the mechanism in the tank and there may be a need for the replacement of some parts.
- Examine the floors around sinks, toilets, washer, dishwasher and refrigerator to see if you can detect any warping or stains on the floor. The floor in these areas should be solid to walk on with no soft spots. Go a floor below each bathroom and look up at the ceiling where the sink and toilet are located to ensure that there are no water stains on the ceiling which would be an indication of leaky appliances. While you are finding out about the appliances, don’t forget to ask the age of the appliances, most have a life of about twelve years before they should be replaced for more energy efficient ones.
- Have a video inspection completed of the sewer line. A professional plumbing company has the right equipment needed to ensure that your lines can be carefully inspected. The cost is not too prohibitive, and it is a good idea to have this done if there are suspected leaks in the plumbing system, and in particular, the areas that drain out and away from the home. Tree roots can grow into pipes and create cracks and holes which can reduce pressure in lines or cause leakage of black water which is not a desirable issue. If your pipes are leaking contaminants into the ground and it is investigated, you could be on the hook for expensive repairs to surrounding properties in addition to yours.
- Request the service history of any septic tank if there is one located on the property. Having a septic tank pumped regularly is important and you want to ensure that the home you are buying has had their septic tank serviced and that they are not leaving you a full tank of their waste.
- Examine the shower head to look for any signs of hard water deposits. Hard water can cause a build up inside of pipes which can lead to poor flow and drainage through pipes.
- If there is an HVAC system in the home, look at the interior windows for condensation and note any odd odours that are coming from the vents.
A plumbing professional can conduct a more thorough inspection for you and identify and potential issues including:
- Sewage issues including line replacement or repair costs, outdated or broken tiles, the location of the septic tank and the condition and age of it, as well as any odour or drainage from the tank.
- Thorough pipe inspections using a camera to find any damage, blockage, outdated materials, leaks or to determine if the pipes have adequate protection from cracking and damage.
- Location of the water meter and determining if it is in good condition.
Ensuring that all aspects of your home’s plumbing system are in good condition and not in need or repair or replacement are one of the most important things that a professional plumber can do for you. If you think that the cost of this type of inspection is too much, consider what the cost of not having this inspection would be. Imagine that you got stuck with some serious and expensive plumbing problems that you were not expecting. A plumber can help you to avoid those issues and ensure that you have some wiggle room in price negotiations if they find any problems that need to be repaired in a timely manner.
Consider the knowledge and experience of a plumbing professional when it comes to protecting yourself against purchasing serious plumbing issues that are going to be expensive to rectify. You never want to be stuck with someone else’s plumbing problems that have been neglected for too long and left for the next owner to deal with. A professional plumber knows exactly what to look for in order to save you the most money on your home purchase. Always put your trust in the hands of a professional when it comes to locating and identifying potential issues that are going to be expensive to rectify. You will have extra bargaining power when it comes to plumbing systems that are in need of repair or replacement.
Suggested by Refined Plumbing Sunshine Coast
