Buying an Older Home? Use This Plumbing Checklist Before You Buy

Buying a new home can be daunting, especially when you are considering an older home. You may be concerned about hidden costs and repairs that may be revealed after you buy. A thorough home inspection can help uncover possible issues, but home inspectors may not see issues hidden behind walls or under the home in the plumbing. Before you buy, there are some areas that should be inspected by a professional plumber.

Complete Plumbing Inspection

Plumbing problems are not always apparent, especially during a standard home inspection. You need a plumber that can evaluate the type of piping and possible plumbing issues that may surface in the next few years. Some of the plumbing elements that should be inspected before buying an older home include:

  • Water heater performance
  • Type of piping – old lead pipes and polybutylene pipe often will need replacement
  • Video camera inspection of sewer lines
  • Septic system evaluation
  • Inspection of sump or ejector pumps
  • Check for leaking fixtures or pipes
  • Test water pressure and draining performance
  • Water quality testing and well evaluation

Having a professional evaluation of all the plumbing in the home can reveal any possible issues that will need repair or replacement. This can give you a chance to negotiate with the current owner to have plumbing issues resolved or a lower sale price to cover your costs.

Older homes can become money pits if there are hidden problems, especially with your plumbing. It is worth the investment to have a separate plumbing inspection performed to investigate all the items on this checklist to ensure you are making a wise purchase with your new home.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

Plumbing Issues to Look for When Buying a New Home

If you are contemplating buying a new home, you may be looking at many houses, trying to find the right fit for you and your family. When you narrow it down to a few that have the right attributes you are looking for, it is important to check for any hidden problems. Plumbing issues are often not apparent, especially during typical walk-throughs and even inspections. Here are a few things you can check to identify any possible problems.

Check the Fixtures

When looking at the kitchen and bathrooms, go beyond looking at the features and use the fixtures. Run water in the sinks, flush the toilets and turn on the shower. Watch for any drips or leaks when using these fixtures; it may not be a deal-breaker, but it is good to know if they have been maintained.

Look for Leaks

Keep an eye out for brown or water stains on ceilings or walls. This could indicate a plumbing leak that has occurred, which could also mean mold and other damage you cannot see. Look under the sinks and check for any signs of leaks.

Check the Drains

When you check the fixtures, use enough water to check how quickly the sinks and showers drain. Slow drains can be an indication of a clog, or even bigger issues in the main sewer lines.

If you do notice any problems with the plumbing, it may be worthwhile to hire a plumber for a more thorough inspection. It is better to know ahead of time if anything will need repair; you may be able to have the seller fix these issues as a condition of your sale or negotiate a lower price to encompass the needed plumbing repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Buying an Older Home? Have the Plumbing Inspected

When buying an older home, it is important to know what home improvements may be needed in the future. Apart from the sale price, you must consider possible expenses that you could incur due to the age of the home. When was the last time the roof was replaced? Is the furnace or HVAC system in good shape? Are there any underlying issues you need to know about? While a home inspection may reveal some of these problems, it may not uncover everything. Plumbing is one of the areas you may want to have separately inspected before you buy.

If the home was built in the 1980’s or before, it is a good idea to have the plumbing checked out before you buy. From the interior plumbing to the sewer pipes and septic system, there are many components that can be outdated. Replacing a septic system or the sewer lines can cost thousands of dollars; interior plumbing issues can lead to water and mold damage, as well as the expense to replace pipes and fixtures. Some areas that should be inspected include:

  • Camera inspection of exterior sewer lines
  • Water heater – is it efficient? When will it need to be replaced?
  • Interior pipes, drains and fixtures
  • Septic system and drain field inspection, if applicable

Having a local, expert plumber inspect the entire plumbing system is worth the investment before buying an older home. It can alert you to any potential issues so you are aware before you buy. If there is a major plumbing problem, you have the option of negotiating with the seller to have the issue fixed, changing your offer price or deciding that this may not be the right investment.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221