Buying a home? After you have selected your prospective home, it is a good practice to have a professional plumbing inspection done before making the final decision.
Getting stuck with poorly plumbed or clogged pipes in your new home is not only frustrating but can become expensive if there are huge repairs needed. A plumbing inspection allows you to make sure there are no major issues, or if there are any, help you assess whether to proceed with the purchase or not.
Get a professional plumbing inspection
While it is not required, you should get a professional plumbing inspection done to make sure there are no serious issues. You may not notice serious problems because of inexperience, not knowing what to look for, and lack of proper equipment to do a thorough inspection. The cost of having a professional plumbing inspection is significantly cheaper than having to do extensive repairs. And you can also use the inspection result to leverage a better deal during negotiations with the seller.
Here are some areas that should be checked during a plumbing inspection:
1. The Main Sewer Line
It is extremely important to have the main sewer system fully inspected. Because it is in the ground and unexposed, issues cannot be detected easily. Even the previous homeowners may not be aware that their main sewer line is clogged. Clogged sewer lines are serious and may require a full or partial replacement, which is a costly plumbing repair.
In a full plumbing inspection, your plumber will check the main sewer line to make sure that is working properly and that there are no serious issues you will have to worry about after the purchase.
If you are planning to buy a home in a mature neighbourhood with large trees, we recommend having a camera inspection of the storm sewer to make sure tree roots have not breached the sewer pipes.
Remember, even new homes can have sewer line problems. Backfilling, which is common in new housing foundations, could cause the sewer line to shear off from the foundation wall. The issue could result in clogging and costly repairs in the long run.
Our fully licensed plumbers perform tests on each section of the pipes to see whether or not there is a problem with your sewer system. We make use of camera systems to visually inspect the sewer line and ensure that there are no issues.
2. Pipe Leaks
Pipe leak detection is crucial at an early stage. Pipe leaks can cause mold and mildew which are not only health hazards but can cause damage to your home.
Repairing damaged pipes can be costly especially if you need to tear up beautiful wood or tile flooring while doing the repair or replacement. Another thing to check in older homes is whether there are lead pipes or fittings used which are not yet replaced. Lead is known to be harmful especially to children.
3. Faucets, Toilets, and Sinks
Make sure that all faucets and sinks in the house are fully functional and have no leaks or drips. The water should go down easily. All the water should drain in the toilets when flushed. Slow-draining sinks and toilets indicate a potential clog.
The base of the toilet needs not to be inspected for leaks. Toilet leaks may often cause significant damage to flooring, If the flooring around the toilet is discoloured or not firm, or if the toilet is not securely in place, there is a potential leak that needs to be fixed to avert a potential disaster.
4. Water Heaters
Water heaters should be evaluated for signs of corrosion, leaks, and water damage. If the water heater is old or in poor condition, it may be necessary to replace it. Checking this during your inspection will ensure that your heater is operating properly to meet your family’s needs.
5. Water Quality
Make sure that the water running in the home is clean and safe to use and drink. Is the water clear or discoloured? If the water is discoloured, find out if it’s a temporary flow of dirty water or if there are old pipes that have to be replaced. A licensed and experienced plumber can help uncover the cause of water discoloration.
As a potential buyer, you need to make sure that the home’s plumbing system is fully operational. Getting a plumbing inspection done by a professional and fully licensed plumber before deciding to make an offer can help to save you thousands of repair costs in the future.
You can use the findings in your plumbing inspection report as leverage during negotiations. Make sure that any issues should be dealt with quickly and that you shouldn’t have to absorb the cost of repairs or replacements.
To schedule a plumbing inspection with us, leave us a message or call 0488 296 724.
