Moving to a New Home? Have It Inspected for Plumbing Issues in Advance

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Buying a home is an exciting process, even if it's not your first time. You may already be looking into floor plans, landscaping and interior design to turn the house into a home. But before you make any financial commitment, consider having the property inspected for plumbing issues.

Plumbing infrastructure is typically hidden behind floors and walls to make the home look clean. These hidden pipes, drains and fixtures are critical to making your home function correctly. Therefore, don't forget to have a plumber inspect the property before you finalise the purchase.

While home inspections provide a general overview of the state of your property, a plumber can carry out specific checks to help ensure that no underlying problems exist. Here are the areas that you can expect to be checked during a professional plumbing inspection.  

Drains and plumbing fixtures

Many buyers don't realise there are plumbing issues until they start living in the home. For example, it may take a week or two before you find out that a drain is blocked or a sink fixture is loose. By that time, it may be difficult to follow up with the seller. This means that such plumbing issues will end up costing you more to fix because you'll need to have the problem resolved as soon as possible.

A plumbing inspection can help you note down any issues with drains and fixtures around the home. Your plumber may also use a drain inspection camera and other tools to ensure that no blockages exist. These tools will detect damaged drains, blocked pipes or damage to the pipes themselves. By detecting fundamental issues early, you can negotiate with the seller on how repairs will be done.

Sinks and faucets

Leaking faucets are a common problem in both new and old homes. Not only do they look unattractive, but the slowly dripping water can cause extensive damage to plumbing fixtures over time. This is why you should take sink and faucet repairs seriously. A home inspector may simply check to see if these features are working, but a plumber will take more time to check for leaks, loose/missing components and other common issues.

Toilets

Many homeowners pay close attention to the bathroom before deciding to purchase a property. But at first glance, many toilets may appear functional only to end up leaking or becoming clogged in a few weeks' time. A plumber can inspect the toilet to check its water flow, stability and flushing mechanism. Any issues can be fixed before you commit to purchasing the home.

Water heaters

It would be tragic to move into your dream home, only for the water to be cold when taking a shower. Make sure a plumber inspects the home's water heating system to verify that it can handle your specific needs. For example, does the heater work fast enough for large families? Will you need to invest in an upgrade? Knowing such details in advance is helpful.


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