Top 5 Plumbing Issues to Detect Before Buying a Home

mike.aaron.jefferis
October 24, 2021

Being a first time home buyer is one of the most significant accomplishments in one’s life. Although this is supposed to be an exciting time for you, some things come with the time-consuming process you want to make sure you don’t overlook. Remember, this is a significant investment; you want to avoid anything that could financially impact you in the future from the start, which is why it is crucial to take the time to have a professional plumber perform an inspection before you make an offer on the house.

To take a little bit off your plate with this overwhelming process, we’ve created a checklist of 5 plumbing issues to detect before buying a home.

Sewage System

It is relatively easy for home inspectors to overlook the sewer line. After all, they have so many other things to make sure that they are correctly working on in a home, and the sewage system is not in sight to remind them that it’s there and that it can haunt them and your pockets in the future if not mentioned. It is essential to know that if the dream home you are just about ready to sign off on is more than 20 years old with trees in the front yard, you must obtain a sewer line inspection. The sewer line problems can vary, but one of the most common ones is tree roots blocking the sewer line. These roots may crawl into small openings and begin to grow in the sewer line, causing drain blockages and backups.

It is best to have a professional do a camera inspection getting a clear picture of what is going on inside the pipes.

Plumbing Fixtures

To get a pretty good idea about the overall health of your dream home’s plumbing system, you can do some inspecting of your own. Start with checking the sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets; inspect them for general workability and leaks. Note that consistent and robust water pressure followed by immediate hot water is a good sign of a healthy plumbing system. One thing to look out for is the drainage rate of the plumbing fixtures. Water should quickly be able to go down and drain without delay; this includes flushing the toilets. You must be aware of leaks’ signs by checking around the toilet base, below the sinks, and beneath and around faucets. These are all general things to look out for, but don’t hesitate to contact a professional if you notice anything wrong as these can be costly repairs that you can save yourself if you address these issues from the beginning.

Water Heater

A homeowner nightmare you want to prevent is having to wake up in your new home to find out you will be showering with a bucket that morning due to your water heater not working properly. You want to be aware that your water heater isn’t older than ten years; this is the average lifetime for them with regular use. To minimize the chances of a leak, consider replacing them soon. Ensure that your water heater is free of corrosion or rust, causing significant damage to the pipes going to and from the tank. It is essential to know that the average family requires 400 gallons per day, so ensure your water heater is not undersized for your home and meets the needs.

Water Supply Pipes

Water supply pipes can cause a lot of damage without homeowners being aware of it. These are usually under foundations or behind walls; therefore, it is crucial to look out for leaky or damaged pipes. You can look out for bubbling, peeling paint on your walls, as well as soggy spots or cracks on the floor; these can most likely appear by excessive moisture and leaks from your plumbing. Make sure you keep an eye out on your ceilings and look out for stains and watermarks as these are also significant indications of leaking pipes. You want to consider consulting a professional plumber to inspect your pipes and make sure they are not undersized. Undersized pipes are usually the result of non-sufficient water pressure, which can be frustrating when filling a sink, bathtub, or merely trying to shower but not getting the strong spray you want, which is never fun.

Water Meter

As mentioned above, it can be tricky finding out about leaks by just sight; since most water supply pipes are installed in hidden foundations. You can do some inspection of your own to give you peace of mind and double-check that everything is in order with your plumbing system by checking your water meter. Truth is the average household leaks waste around 10,000 gallons of water every single year; this can account for many water bills that have been over the roof, which is why it doesn’t hurt to make sure this isn’t your case. First, you want to ensure no water is running inside or outside the house. Then check if the dial is moving; if it is, chances are there is a hidden leak.

Before Making An Offer

As a home buyer, it is crucial to have leverage before signing off on a home since you know it is a severe purchase. Investing in a professional plumbing inspection service can save you a substantial amount of money in the long run, as well as giving you that second pair of eyes that will see things you or the seller may not notice. Why waste precious time that you can spend appreciating the good things that come with moving into a new home by dealing with the headaches and not to mention pocket aches that come with undetected problems in your plumbing?