Why You Should Have Plumbing Inspected When Buying a New Home

It may not be the first thing you think of when buying a new house, but having the plumbing inspected before buying your home is an absolute must! Plumbing issues can arise at any time but some homes don’t have water running at the time of showing to do simple flush tests or check for pipes. Even beyond running toilets and leaky faucets and pipes, there are other plumbing issues that can occur that a plumber’s professional eye is trained to catch like sewer issues or hot water heaters going bad. Having a professional plumber come in and do a final inspection before buying can make you feel safe and secure in your new home purchase.

Having the plumbing inspected by a professional before your purchase is important to prevent potential plumbing catastrophes later in the buying process or even worse while you’re moving in. Not even the real estate agent may know what plumbing problems have occurred or be able to advise how old some plumbing components are or their last replacement. Having a professional plumber come in is a great way to guarantee that all the plumbing is in good condition and give a timeline of when replacements happened or will need to happen. A professional can also tell you the materials of your pipes so when a replacement needs to occur you will have the information needed to get it done right. Professional plumbers have a keen eye for leaks, rust spots, or just weaknesses in plumbing that otherwise could have gone unnoticed.

When buying your home you may not know what all is included in a plumbing inspection and why it is such a good investment. Below are all the things included in a plumbing inspection to make sure your new home will be move-in ready without the worry of plumbing issues coming out by surprise.

Sewer Camera Inspection

If you are looking into an older home or even a home that’s on a more mature property then you probably have older trees as well. While these trees can be beautiful above the surface they can wreak havoc below the surface. Tree roots love to find water inside of sewers and you won’t be able to tell if you have a root infestation without the use of a camera inspection. You could wait until the first downpour of the season to see if a problem arises, but if it does by that time you’d be too late. Having this camera inspection done can identify any problems including root infestations and be able to either resolve them or come up with maintenance plans to keep them at bay. 

Checking Water Meters and Valves

Checking your valves and meters is a good way to indicate if there is a leak or not present in the home. If you turn off all the faucets and look at the meter and it is still turning then that indicates a leak is present. If the meter is still turning indicating a leak it could be a serious problem. You can test the valves by shutting off the main water supply and as long as there is no water coming to the faucets then it is a good sign!

Water Heater Inspection

Having the water heater inspected could be one of the most important parts of a new home plumbing inspection because water heater issues can end up costing a fortune if not caught in time. While most water heater issues are easily fixed, corrosion is an issue that you don’t want to ignore. Not only can a professional plumber check for damage on water heaters, but can also tell its age. By being able to tell its age, you will know about how much longer you have before you will have to worry about replacing the water heater. On average a household of 4 can expect the water heater to last around 10 years, so if it’s getting close or you have a larger family size it’s good to know whether or not you have to budget for a new water heater soon or not. 

Faucets, Sinks, and Toilets

Checking these fixtures for leaks and water pressure quality can save you hassle in the long run. If there is an issue with either the flow or a leak you can prepare to have it fixed before moving in making for an easier transition. If it’s more than a simple leaky faucet and is a major issue, having a plumber take a look and evaluate the situation can keep you from buying a potential money sinking property. Not a lot of homeowners take into account the actual damage that plumbing issues can cause especially if it hasn’t happened to them before. Ensuring that all faucets, sinks, and toilets are in working order and cleared by a professional plumber can give peace of mind and make you feel more comfortable with your new home purchase. 

Septic Inspection

It is important to know whether or not your property uses a septic system or if it is connected to the sewer because there will be different maintenance for each. For example, a septic system has to be pumped and you will need to know the dates of the last pump to keep on top of the maintenance for the septic. There are also different products that can be used with septic systems rather than the sewer system so it is important to have all the information. A professional plumber can ensure that everything is functional with your septic and that it is ready to go without any issues. 

Before making the investment to buy a new home it is crucial to get these areas checked by a professional plumber to be sure you aren’t walking into a potential plumbing disaster. Professional plumbers are licensed, bonded, and insured to guarantee they are bringing you the best knowledge to help your situation. They have an eye for different plumbing issues and will be able to give you all the information on what’s going on or if you have the all-clear. Give yourself peace of mind by having a professional plumber do an inspection before buying so you can breathe easy!