Are you in the market for a new home? It's common to check the home's foundation, roof, and windows before making an offer. However, the home's plumbing is another critical system that's worth inspecting before buying. An old, out-of-date plumbing system can cause a lot of headaches once you're moved in—and these problems can drain your checkbook, too.
The 5 Tips
Don't make a move on a house before having a plumber inspect these parts of the home plumbing system:
- The sewer: Unbeknownst to some, homeowners are generally responsible for the plumbing lines that run to the city's main sewer. If this system is deteriorating, or if it fails later on, it's a costly problem to fix. Homes with a Septic system should be thoroughly inspected as well. This too can be very pricy to repair or replace down the road.
- The water heater: The size and efficiency of the existing water heater will greatly affect your comfort—or how much hot water you can get during a shower—and your water-heating bills. If you're not willing to invest in a new one, make sure the existing water heater is relatively new (under seven years old) and properly sized for the home.
- The toilets: Leaks commonly occur around the base of toilets, which causes wood rot in the subflooring and possibly leading to hazardous mold growth. If you don't discover the problem until years after you've moved into the new home, you'll be facing more than just a toilet repair. You may have to replace all of the flooring and some of the home's structure.
- The pipes: Ask your plumber to check on the home plumbing pipes and to inspect their condition and size. Old, weak pipes are costly to replace, and if they're too small or filled with buildup, you'll experience low water pressure in the home. Corroded pipes can weaken, leading to broken pipes and flooding down the line. The plumber should make note of all potential problems and signs of wear and tear. He should then discuss the options and costs for repair before you consider making an offer on the home.
- Other components: Inspect other parts of the home's plumbing system for performance. Turn on sink and shower faucets, looking for leaks or wobbly spouts and handles. Open cabinets under sinks and look for evidence of leaking. Turn the shower head on and feel the water pressure while also checking for leaks.
You'll get peace of mind knowing that a plumber has signed off on the new home of your dreams. With a proper inspection, you'll know what you're facing with the home plumbing system and whether you're willing to pay the price for repairs.
For answers to your questions or to schedule a home plumbing inspection, contact the Pink Plumber today.
Image source: Flickr
