Plumbing Checks Before Buying Your Dream Home

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If you’re looking to buy your dream home then you want to make sure that your dream doesn’t turn into a nightmare due to hidden issues that weren’t picked up prior to sale, and in this vein, one of the most significant and common areas that cause new homeowners unexpected issues is plumbing.

Now, plumbing is a relatively easy job for the professionals such as Mr. Rooter Plumbing but to the lay person it can be a tricky activity that is somewhat perilous to do yourself – plus – often, pipes are buried underground meaning it’s not always as simple as the plumbing itself, for the property might need some excavation to get down to the drains and pipes.  Essentially, this can make it quite an expensive job, which is why it’s best to double check the plumbing of the property prior to purchase.

This article provides a number of areas in which you should check before buying and moving into a new home.

1. SEWER LINE
   You may wish to consider a sewer inspection prior to purchase, particularly if the house is reasonably old.  This is where specialist plumbers will come with a sewer camera to inspect the main sewer line.  

You won’t know there’s an issue until it’s too late, and if the line is partially blocked, it will not resolve itself and a major repair or replacement would need to be arranged which would come at significant cost.

Essentially, drains clog for a reason and they do not fix themselves; the camera inspection offers peace of mind that you aren’t going to be lumbered with a hidden maintenance disaster upon moving into your new home.

WATER HEATER

The majority of water heaters are placed in areas that are out of sight due to aesthetic reasons and leaks are usually only noticed because of visual evidence of water damage; such as damp patches or water coming through the ceiling.

A professional plumber should be able to determine the age of your water heater and whether it’s working efficiently.

The reason it’s good to have this checked out is because the investment required to obtain a new water heater is significant; ranging between $600 – $2,000.  Therefore, if the boiler does need to be replaced then you may want to work this into your negotiations.

TOILETS
If a toilet is constantly running it could mean the chain or flapper needs to be replaced.  A toilet not draining properly will lead to leaks and a variety of ensuing issues, for instance, it will eventually rot through the floor, meaning one day, you could quite literally fall down the toilet as it comes crashing through the ceiling!

Check around the base of the toilet for leaks, damp, and soft squidgy flooring.

DRAINS

Clogged drains are one of the most common issues plumbers are usually called out for.  

Drains clog for a variety of reasons but usually it’s due to built up oils or debris such as hair and so on.  To test a drain, turn on the water and let it flow for a few minutes. It should drain instantly and consistently.  You should then look under the sink for signs of water damage and visible leaks.