All of us have dreams. One of the dreams might be having your own home. Whether you are married or single, it is always better to have a place of your own. So finally the important decision has been made. You decided to buy a new home! This venture can be exciting and stressful at the same time because you’ll have to deal with plenty of details and you wouldn’t want to ruin this experience by entering a house with a lot of hidden or explicit plumbing issues. In this case home plumbing inspection checklist is crucial, as it helps uncover plumbing problems and consequently make or break a home purchase deal. Read on to find out what issues at your potential home should not be overlooked and taken care of beforehand.
When you go see a new house, check water pressure in all bathrooms by flushing the toilets and turning on the showers. Inspect all toilet parts, specifically the fill, supply, and flush valves. The toilet should easily empty and fill back and the shower should be able to sprinkle hot water. If you notice any problem, it is best to let the homeowner know and deal with it before the purchase.
Look carefully around dishwashers, refrigerators, bathtubs, showers and sinks for any signs of fractured or distorted flooring. Check the dishwasher and washing machine hoses to assure that they are not springing leaks. You want the proof that the floor is solid and no leaks are present. Also search for any water stains of the floor and see if there are any dripping faucets at the house.
Find the water heater and carefully listen whether a gurgling sound comes from it. If it does, it is a sure indication that the hot water heater has sediment built up inside the tank. Flushing the water heater can do the trick, but beware – this water heater might be approaching the end of its service lifespan. Check for rust and if possible see the date on the water heater when it was manufactured – if it’s over 10 years old, the homeowner will either need to replace it or give you a discount.
Determine whether the sewage goes into the municipal sewer system or a septic tank. If it is a septic tank, ask the owner when the tank was last emptied or serviced.
However strange it may sound, smell the air inside the house, when taking a tour around it, especially in rooms directly below upper-floor bathrooms. If you notice any musty smell or stains on walls or ceilings looking like mold – be careful. Mold is not as innocent as it might seem. Sometimes it hides behind the old wallpaper or under bathtubs and causes all kinds of allergies and respiratory diseases.
It is a good idea to have this easy-to-follow plumbing checklist handy when you go to check a new home. A home purchase is one of the biggest investments in your life and this home buyers plumbing checklist will allow you to avoid and prevent any hidden “surprises” in your home-to-be plumbing.
If you feel uncomfortable looking for all the mentioned plumbing issues and asking questions, call the professionals from Norwalk/La Mirada Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning. We would be glad to answer any questions you might have about plumbing systems in your prospective home. You can even schedule a plumbing inspection with our licensed technicians before you make a large investment in a new home. Call or visit our website to set an appointment that won’t interfere with your schedule!
Norwalk/La Mirada, CA 91766 | (562) 219-4085
