How to Check for Plumbing Problems Before Buying a House

To make sure everything is in order before deciding to buy the house you like, check for plumbing problems. Here is how.

How to check for plumbing problems before buying a house

Imagine moving into the home of your dreams. It wasn't easy to find it, especially considering the financial impact of a decision as big as this one. You designed the interior just the way you want, and just when you thought you could relax, you notice water leaking. The seller had managed to hide a critical thing. The property comes with some significant plumbing issues, more severe than the clogged sink drains. Since it's hard to discover these issues during a casual house inspection, you need to pay extra attention to notice them. Here's how to check for plumbing problems before you buy a house.

Address potential difficulties immediately.

Check for plumbing problems and prevent troubles down the road

So, you have gone through the process of buying a house, and you have done everything in your power to make sure everything goes smoothly during moving in. However, you might not have noticed a small plumbing issue that could potentially become a lot more serious in the future. Therefore, checking for pipe problems and dealing with them right away can save you from the inconvenience and a considerable expense. What follows are the things you should check before you make the final decision.

Water and drain lines

It makes sense that water and drain lines are one of the first things to check. Try to find the signs of corrosion on drain lines. This issue might not be the most common, but it can cause a problem. Also, you should check the water lines that you can see for leaks and discoloration. Look under the sink in the kitchen and try to see what these pipes look like. Turn on the faucets and see if the drainage speed is alright. You can even check the water lines that aren't visible. Examine if there are any water stains on the walls or the ceiling. Moldy spots might also be a sign of the same problem. While it's not too expensive to fix leaky pipes, per se, the expenses of repairing the damage can add up.

Fixing the damage is not cheap.

Sewer line

There can be several problems that are related to sewer lines. That's why it's good to have a professional look at it, all the way to the street. It wouldn't be wrong to run a video camera through the line to identify any potential trouble. Clogs, corrosion, or tree roots can lead to problematic smelly issues. However, similar problems might happen due to stinky plumbing, so make sure to check everything if you want to enjoy the pleasant smell of your new home.

Water hardness

When searching for an ideal location for your new home, you'll consider multiple factors. After all, you want to find an area you will enjoy living in, so you need to consider every little thing. And one of the things you will probably neglect to check is the water hardness in their area of your interest. This can have a significant impact on your kidneys but also your pipework. A scale buildup in the pipework can lead to low water pressure and clogs. Look for the sign of scale on the edges of the taps, as they're the result of hard water. You can notice the signs of scale buildup on the exterior of the fixtures. These consequences might become more severe down the road as they might require costly plumbing repairs. On a more positive note, this will allow you some negotiating room. You can try to reduce the price.

Water supply

What you do not want when moving into a dream house is to pay for new supply pipes, in addition to all of the other expenses. So inquire about them. Ask about their age and material to understand how long you can go until replacing them. If the pipes are made from polybutylene or galvanized steel, there's a good chance the replacement is necessary.

Ask about the age of the heater

You should know the age of the water heater in the house. As they usually last about ten years, this information will reveal if the heater will need replacing soon. Also, make sure to assess how much damage potential leaks could cause, keeping in mind the water heater position.

Water pressure

The low water pressure might not seem like the biggest problem, but it's an inconvenience you definitely don't want to deal with. Water pressure that's too high could damage the appliances, starting with the water heater. The best way to test this is to use a pressure gauge to give you a pressure reading. It will tell you if some pipes need unclogging.

One way to check the water pressure.

Check for the signs of water damage

Signs of water damage indicate that there are problems you need to address. These signs can either be obvious or hidden, so you might need to look at every corner of the house to find them. It can be warping, mold, brown stains on the ceiling or walls. Check the toilet and visible pipes. Then check the places where pipes are hidden in walls, in every room you can. Also, pay attention to how the toilet smells. Strong artificial smells might be an attempt to hide a problem. Noticing any sign of similar problems might uncover an issue that can go from a minor inconvenience to a serious problem. Either way, it's good to be aware of it before you buy the property.

Winterized pipes

If you're thinking about buying a house in an area with cold winters, winter maintenance is going to become a part of your annual routine. However, right now, it's necessary to check if the plumbing system was built to handle harsher conditions. Pipes need to be wrapped and insulated. If your house uses well water, the well should also be protected from extreme weather conditions. 

Thorough check

A thorough check is necessary to get a clear indication of the state of the plumbing. Also, this will give you information about the potential costs involved in resolving the possible issues. It might be a good idea to have an experienced plumber check for plumbing problems before you make the purchase, just to be safe.

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry