If you are currently in the market to buy a home, congratulations on this next step in your life! It’s an exciting step regardless of whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned one. However, there are many factors to consider and steps to go through before completing the sale. To help with the search process, it’s important to know what to look for in a plumbing system as you tour potential homes.
Unexpected plumbing costs can be a burden, especially right after purchasing a house. So, it is important to know exactly what you’re getting into when making your final decision. Luckily, Bellbrook Plumbing & Drain has created a list of 5 warning signs (or red) flags, as you might call them, to watch for when viewing potential homes to help prevent unwelcome surprises.
Red Flag Number 1: What Is the Age of the Water Heater?
Most house listings will contain this information, but if the house you’re looking at doesn’t have this information listed, you can ask about its age during your visit, and if that doesn’t get you the answers you need, you can inspect the water heater yourself. A quick once-over can help to roughly determine its age and condition. For example: if you notice excessive dust buildup, corrosion, or puddles around the unit’s base, it could mean that the water heater has not been well maintained, it’s a significantly older unit, or there is an underlying issue going on.
Keep in mind that an older water heater isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but most water heaters last between 8-12 years, so if the unit is older, you may need to replace it soon after moving in. Ultimately, this could be a great negotiating point.
Red Flag Number 2: Is the Water Pressure Working Well?
During a house walk-through, people often forget to check the water pressure, which can be a major hassle to deal with later if it indeed is low. Therefore, it’s recommended to check every faucet and shower during your house tour by letting the water run and inspecting the pressure for a few minutes before moving on to the next room.
Red Flag Number 3: Do the Drains & Water Lines Look Damaged?
While you are letting the water run to check the pressure, you can use this time to kill two birds with one stone and check the drains and water lines. Do this by simply taking a quick glance down at each drain and looking for any signs of rust buildup. Although this is rare, if you find any, it could be problematic to fix. Additionally, it’s recommended to inspect all water lines that are visible such as those under the kitchen or bathroom sinks. Search for any leaks or indications of discoloration. So, while the faucet is running, this is the ideal time to check underneath the sink for any dripping water.
Red Flag Number 4: Is There Water Damage in Certain Areas?
Next, it’s also important to be aware of water damage and its various forms and how to identify them. Here are some useful tips to help you determine what to look for.
- Make sure to examine the bases of all toilets in the house for pooling or puddles. If you see any, it may indicate that there’s a leak in the toilet. You can also flush the toilet to confirm there are no issues.
- Check the ceilings throughout the house for brown spots, which may be caused by previous leaks from a pipe or the roof.
- As you continue your tour, make sure to also inspect the basement and crawlspaces. Be sure to keep an eye out for water stains or any signs of a leak. You don’t want to forget to check these areas during your walk-through.
Red Flag Number 5: WHAT ABOUT the Home’s Plumbing History?
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the plumbing system of a home you’re considering moving into. Although it may seem bothersome, it’s important to know the condition of the plumbing work. If you decide to pursue a particular house, it’s also a good idea to request the home’s plumbing history, including maintenance and repair records. This information could be useful in the future, and a lack of maintenance records or excessive repairs to a particular area may be considered another red flag.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
We understand the importance of peace of mind when buying a home. To provide you with that, we offer a plumbing inspection service. If you decide to proceed with purchasing the house, this service can usually be negotiated into the terms and arranged by the homeowner. Our licensed plumbers will conduct a thorough evaluation and inspection of the plumbing equipment, pipes, and drainage systems. In addition, they will thoroughly review multiple important plumbing sections and examine all plumbing-related equipment to ensure proper functionality. This thorough inspection can give you the added comfort you may need to determine whether or not this home is suitable for your family or, based on the results, provide you with an opportune way out. It can also serve as a bargaining tool to benefit you during negotiations.
It’s important to note that you don’t need to be a professional plumber to identify the red flags we’ve discussed. We hope this information has provided some insight as you search for your dream home. Furthermore, we want to emphasize again that while these issues are not necessarily deal breakers, it’s important to be aware of them to avoid any surprises later.
Are you looking for a dependable plumbing company that you can call in case of a plumbing emergency? We’ve got you covered! Call Bellbrook Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 240-3731 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!