Top 7 Plumbing Checks You Must Do Before Buying a House

Buying a home can be financially as well as emotionally exhausting, as you have to put in a lot of everything. Thus, it is important for you to ensure the property you are going to purchase is sound. While hiring building inspectors may not be an option for everyone, that does not mean you should not inspect the property.

One of the most important aspects of your property is plumbing, so you should make sure the plumbing is in good condition. But what things to look for is often a thing most people struggle with. In this article, you will find the top things you should consider when inspecting the plumbing of a property.

1. Inspect the Waste Line
   Every house, irrespective of its size, has a waste line, and it is an important plumbing fixture. A faulty or broken waste line can lead to blockage, and you may experience frequent sewage backup. In fact, it is one of the most common plumbing issues you might face in a new house.
   It may sound complex to check the waste line, but there are a few easy methods to do it. Inspect the pipe and look for any cracks or signs of wear and tear. If the property is newly built, you should not find any signs of sewage backup when checking the foundation backfill.
   One of the best resorts, in this case, is getting the waste line inspected by digital cameras, and for that, you need to hire the best plumber in Riverstone. 
2. Check the Hot Water Heater
   A hot water heater system is a device you will be using every day, so it should be fully functional. Moreover, the heaters are pretty expensive, and getting a house with a faulty heater may cost you a lot of money.
   When inspecting the water heater, look for corrosion. Also, check the tanks and make sure there are no cracks or leaks. You can even ask the property owner or the real estate agent to show you that the heater is in a functional condition. One thing that some people fail to look for is the warranty of the heater.
   If the property you are looking to invest in is new, the heater should have a warranty. Also, it should have a branded heater if you want it to last longer and work properly. 
3. Inspect all Plumbing Fixtures
   There are numerous plumbing fixtures in any home, and it is essential to make sure that all of them are in a working state. Start with the kitchen, and look for all the faucets and fixtures. Use them and keep an eye on the stream of water.
   Do this for all bathrooms and other places of the house that may have these fixtures. Note down about the faulty fixtures, and ask the agent to get them replaced, or you can also negotiate using it as a string ground.
4. Water Meter
   A water meter is one of the most overlooked things in any house, and buyers also often ignore it. What you need to do is make sure that the water meter is in a perfect state and works well.
   Also, check if it is still ticking when you have closed all the taps and fixtures. If the reading still keeps on ticking, there is a clear sign that this house has some serious leakage going on.
   In this case, you need to have an expert plumber aboard to get the leaks detected and fixed.
5. All the Pipes
   Getting pipes fixed and relined is an expensive affair, so you need to ensure there is nothing wrong with the pipes. There are plenty of pipes in every house, so start looking with the ones that are exposed and not under the ground.
   The easiest way to check if the underground or concealed pipes are in good condition is by checking the water pressure. Turn the shower on, if you see any pressure dropping out, there is something wrong with the pipes.
   One more sign to look for is the hammering sounds the pipes make when you turn the faucet on. You may also see some brown metal coming out with water if there is corrosion inside the pipe.
6. Don’t Ignore Strange Smells.
   A strange smell coming out of the drains can be a sign that there is some blockage down there. When the pipes do not flush properly, they may start smelling, and you can easily detect this by going into every bathroom and kitchen.
   Do not go too close to the drain, as these smells usually spread around the particular room. 
7. Have a Look at the Garden
   If there is a lawn on your property, you can quickly inspect it to check if the plumbing is in a good state or not. Make sure that the grass is not very damp or loose. Moreover, you can check if soil around trees is drenched or not.
   If there is some serious underground leakage, you will find landfills around the garden with some stagnant water and smell. 

The Best Solution 

Buying a property comes with a lot of risks, and the biggest one is faulty plumbing. It would be great to get in touch with a reliable plumber who can ensure that the plumbing is good and the drains are in a healthy state. 

You can have the plumber with you when inspecting the plumbing to get the right opinion, you need to make an ideal buying decision.

Final Thoughts 

These are seven essential checks you must do before buying a house. Also, have the real estate agent or the selling party involved in this so that you can show them the problems and negotiate better.

At Sydney Plumbers, we have a team of technicians you can hire to get these problems checked and repaired. From leaky faucets to damaged pipes, we can fix almost anything at affordable rates.

Click on the Contact Us button to hire our experts or to know more about our services.