Plumbing Checklist for Homebuyers
There is nothing worse than buying a home and finding an unexpected plumbing disaster. Not only did you most likely spend quite a bit to move into your new home, but now you’re expected to fix a problem that was there before you moved in? The good news is, if it’s not too late for you already, you can avoid running into plumbing problems when you move into your new home. With this quick and easy checklist, you will be able to ensure your new home is ready to buy. Our goal is to help save you money and a hassle through our tips to homebuyers. Here is our insightful plumbing checklist for homebuyers, as noted by The House Shop.
Check for Clogged Drains
When buying a home, if you realize the water isn’t coming out, or your sinks or showers are overflowing, you most likely have clogged drains. Not only is the problem disgusting, it will cost you money to repair, so let’s avoid that! When you view a home, flush the toilets in every single bathroom. It is also a good idea to run the water in the sink and showers for a few minutes to ensure it drains efficiently.
Check the Size of the Pipe
Many homes on the market today still have outdated plumbing that isn’t sufficient anymore. You will want to check the size of the pipes to ensure you will get enough water pressure in all your bathrooms and your kitchen. You want to have ¾” pipes from the water source into the home, and at least ½” faucets.
Test Water Pressure
Why is it important to test the water pressure? It can tell you whether the drains are clogged, or the faucets or shower heads are blocked or dirty. You want to ensure you are getting the amount of water pressure you prefer throughout the house. Test all the showers and sinks by turning them all the way on and feeling the pressure with your hand. Likewise, if you are purchasing a home that is on a well, make sure you test the GPM settings and also the expansion tank prior to closing, as advised by the experts at Pruitt Water.
Check the Heaters
Ask to see your water heater so you can see it for yourself rather than testing the water. Look for signs of corrosion on the water heater, as this could mean the heater is old and may need replacement. It is also a good idea to ask your realtor when it was last serviced. If it seems too old, you have every right to ask for it to be replaced before you buy the home and move in. You’ll be glad you caught the problem early because water heaters can be expensive!
Check for Lead Piping
Lead piping is a no-no these days! This type of piping is mainly seen in older homes that were built before the 1950s. If you find out a home has lead piping, we suggest to avoid it all together and find a new house. Why? Because every 1 in 6 children who lived in homes with lead piping end up having a large amount of lead in their blood.
Get Down and Dirty (or Hire the Professionals)
Performing a full inspection of the home by yourself is entirely up to you, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. However, if you’re not looking to spend more money, you can easily do it yourself. Inspect the home thoroughly by crawling in basements and attics, looking for signs of water damage, damage pipes, or old plumbing. If your house is on a slab foundation, one of the most important things to have inspected is your foundation. Cracks that require foundation repair are not only expensive, but can become a root cause of slab leaks as plumbing supply and drain lines pass through the concrete.
We hope this basic guide helps you look for potential problems when considering a new home for your family.
