6 Plumbing Issues To Check Before Purchasing A Property

Purchasing a home is an exciting event. But while it can be enjoyable to view different properties and visualize how you and your family would thrive within the space, it’s crucial to remember that the structural plumbing integrity of the home should be a prioritized factor. Here, it can become confusing if you don’t know exactly what you should be looking for.

It is crucial for you to know a home inside and out prior to making a purchase. A certified home inspector can help you review the overall condition of your future home. Hiring a professional plumber is also important since this professional will take an in-depth look at the plumbing.

Overlooking plumbing issues might mean finding issues like leaks and flooding later on, and these issues can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Whenever you come across a home that needs plumbing repairs, try factoring those in your budget to see if the purchase would be worth it (the easier route, perhaps, would be to cross that particular property off your list).

So check every detail of the properties you view. Although you are no expert, you can actually learn a lot by watching the professionals carefully examine the plumbing fixtures inside and outside the property. Experts in plumbing share below some of the plumbing red flags you must watch out for when purchasing a property.

1. Water Stains

If the seller did not attempt to cover up stains on a ceiling or wall with paint, this must be viewed as a red flag when purchasing a home.

Water stains on ceilings and walls could be a sign of leaky pipes. It is also possible that this is caused by a previous problem that has been corrected. Neglecting to investigate the cause of the stain could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs later on.

Although leaky and noisy plumbing pipes are not expensive for a plumber to fix, the repair cost can be expensive once the leaks begin causing damage to the property. Moreover, check for limescale around the edges of the taps. This can suggest hard water, which indicates the need for a water softener.

2. Weak Water Pressure

An excellent way to determine how the water pressure may work throughout the property is to turn on the shower farthest from the main water source. If the shower upstairs has great water pressure, it is likely that the rest of the home does, too. If the water pressure appears weak, have the plumbing experts take a look at the system.

3. Poor Drainage

Most water problems in a property are directly related to poor drainage, and this is something that is not always detected easily. Pooling water is an obvious sign of poor drainage. When the property’s yard has puddles, it is likely that these are caused by poor drainage, leading to water glitches inside the home.

Cracking in the foundation, migrating mulch in the flower beds, overflowing gutters, and water stains on basement walls are other signs of poor drainage.

4. Mold

Mold problems are also a red flag when purchasing a home. This can lead to health problems, especially for your little ones. Mold remediation can be done, but they can be expensive.

Since mold problems are hard to discover, getting help from a reputable home inspector is a wise decision. Attics and basements are the most common areas for the presence of mold. There are also companies that will perform mold tests to check if the house you want to buy has mold or not.

5. Sewage Smells

Repairing sewage systems can be costly. Thus, it is crucial to make sure that the home’s sewage system is in excellent working condition. The presence of that familiar foul sewer smell is a good indication that plumbing repairs are required. However, the lack of an odor does not  necessarily mean that the sewage system is in good working order.

If the home you want to buy has a septic system, ask the seller about the required frequency of service along with the date when it was last serviced. Whether the house has a main sewer line or a septic system, you must have a licensed plumber perform a camera inspection of the main line to detect any possible drainage problem.

6. Leaking Taps and Toilets

Make sure that kitchen and bathroom taps are in good working order and free from any noticeable leaks. Dripping taps and leaky toilets can cause damage that is too expensive to fix. Even a small leak on the toilet’s base can damage cabinets or rot the bathroom’s flooring.

A reputable plumber can check all of the fixtures and toilets to determine if plumbing repairs are required prior to making the final buying decision.

Buying a home is one of the biggest events in anyone’s life. Thus, it is crucial that when purchasing a home, you must watch out for these red flags. Although most of these plumbing issues can’t be discovered while viewing a home, they can be detected during a home inspection and plumbing survey. So don’t hesitate to hire experts in plumbing to ensure that the house you’re buying is free from any costly home issues.

AUTHOR BIO

Based in South Melbourne, Blue Diamond Plumbing was founded in 1985, working on new homes, repairs and commercial contracts. Over time they have grown to become some of the best plumbers Melbourne has to offer. Since 2001 the company has specialised in Emergency Plumbing and Property Maintenance, Repairs and Renovations for homes and businesses in Melbourne and inner city suburbs. Owner Rod Diamond has over 30 years experience with emergency plumbing in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.