Before Buying a New Home, Get a Plumbing Inspection

When it comes to purchasing a home, buyers realize it will be the largest investment they make in their lifetime. As a result, there are several things they should be comfortable with before signing the contract that lets them buy the home of their dreams.

Perhaps the most important aspect involves the home’s plumbing system, which if unchecked can produce repair bills resulting in thousands of dollars.

To make sure, all areas of the home’s plumbing are properly inspected. It’s a good idea to hire the services of a professional plumber for the inspection.

By doing so, you’ll know exactly what is wrong with the home’s plumbing system, how much it will cost to replace, and if you should look elsewhere.

Water Heater Inspection in Your Home

First and foremost, a home’s water heater should be checked to make sure it is working properly. In many of today’s homes, the water heater is at least ten years old and in need of replacement. If this is the case in the home you want to purchase, it may be possible to work out a deal with the homeowner to buy the house at a reduced price in exchange for them buying a new water heater.

In addition to being older, many water heaters also begin to develop problems over time. For example, if a plumber finds water around the bottom of the tank or notices some corrosion on the outside of the water heater, it’s a safe bet the heater’s tank is leaking. If this is the case, the problem will not get solved until a new heater is purchased.

Flush the Toilet to Make Sure it Works Properly

Along with the home’s water heater, there is perhaps no part of the plumbing system more important than the toilet. While many experts suggest potential buyers taking a home tour flush the toilet to ensure it’s working, few if any do so. As a result, they are almost always surprised if a problem develops with the toilet after they have bought the house. To keep this from happening, have a plumber give the bathroom a complete inspection from top to bottom.

By flushing the toilet and seeing how easily and quickly the toilet bowl empties itself and fills back up, the plumber can assess how free the sewer lines are of clogs and debris. Also, the plumber will also look for water that may be surrounding the bottom of the toilet, which may indicate the floor is being rotted out.

If this is not the case, the plumber may recommend replacing an old toilet with a newer, low-flow model that uses only one gallon of water per flush. This can not only make the bathroom more modern but also save a homeowner plenty of money later on when it comes to their water bill.

Discolored Water in the Home

If there is one thing nobody wants to see when they are considering purchasing a home, it’s discolored water when they turn on the sinks. Whether it’s in the kitchen or bathroom, discolored water can indicate a multitude of potentially expensive problems.

The most obvious one is iron in the water, which results in hard water. Turning the water a reddish or rusty color, it can stain anything it touches, including sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and other areas. If the water is brownish and appears to have dirt in it, chances are the home has a leak within its water lines or sewer lines.

Unfortunately, this can be a serious issue that could result in thousands of dollars in repairs. If a plumber finds this to be the problem, it may be best to consider other properties unless an agreement can be reached regarding repairs.

Septic System Checkup

If the home you are looking at uses a septic system rather than a town or city water system, be sure to have a plumber give it a close inspection. If the plumber notices any strong odors or standing water around the tank, major problems involving seepage or tank leakage are probably to blame.

Also, you should be sure to find out when the septic system was installed, its size, and the last time it was emptied or serviced.

By doing so, you’ll have a much better idea of any problems that may be occurring now or are likely to happen shortly. Because septic systems cost a minimum of several thousands of dollars to install, any costs associated with this should be the sole responsibility of the seller. If they choose not to pay or try to get you to pay most of the bill, say thanks but no thanks and move on to the next property you’ve got your eye on.

Pay Attention to Leaks

Along with all these factors, you should also pay attention to any leaks coming from sinks around the house. While a plumber can do this, it’s also important for you to do so as well.

While most leaks can be fixed rather quickly, it could point to other problems within the plumbing system. If the home is older, all the leaks could mean the fixtures need to be replaced, which could prove to be costly.

To keep your water bill down to a reasonable level, make sure you have fixtures that don’t leak one drop of water. After all, chances are if the fixtures are old, so are the pipes within the home. Before you know it, you’ll not only be watching a plumber install new fixtures on every sink, but you’ll also wind up with new pipes as well.

With these installation jobs, expect to pay as much as $10,000. By having a plumber conduct an extensive inspection of a home’s plumbing system, it’s possible you can save yourself not only plenty of money but also plenty of headaches and heartaches along the way.

If you need quality plumbing services in your Stuart, FL home, please contact Allore’s Plumbing Services LLC at (772) 288-0998 today.