Buying a new house could cost you a fortune. So, make sure you consider all relevant factors before sealing the deal. The new house you consider buying may have hidden problems that would cost thousands of dollars to fix. During the house inspection, you should be able to do a test-run of all relevant systems in the property, including the home plumbing. According to HomeAdvisor, repiping an entire home can cost you $1,500 to $15,000 or more. To avoid paying for costly plumbing fixes in your new home, be sure to follow this plumbing checklist during your initial house tour:
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Flush every toilet in the house.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption. A home that has old, inefficient toilets can waste an expensive amount of water each year. Thus, before you say yes to house property, be sure to check the toilets in the bathrooms. Try to flush each toilet in the house to see if it runs too long, makes way too much noise, or if there are leaks around it.
Turn on faucets to check the water flow.
Faucets are one of the most relevant plumbing fixtures in a home. Faucets provide easy access to clean, safe water for drinking, cooking, washing, or cleaning. Doing a physical test of all faucets in the house you consider buying will let you know if there are fixtures that need to be fixed or replaced completely. While fixing a faulty faucet does not cost a lot, it can be a bad sign for a homebuyer. If there are minor fixes left unattended, it only goes to show that the property is not well-maintained and might have other hidden problems.
Do a physical inspection of the water heater.
Hot water is a necessity in a home. Without a water heater, you will have to go through the hassle of manually heating water in the stove each time you take a bath, wash your hands, and more. During the initial house tour, take the trip down the basement to check the condition of the water heater. If you can spot corrosion, buildups, or leaks, you might have to pay for a water heater replacement once you move into the house.
Check pipe age and material.
Do not hesitate to ask the realtor or property owner about the age of the home’s water lines, as well as the material used. Industry experts say that piping materials usually have long lifespans. Brass pipes can last 40 to 70 years, copper pipes can last up to 50 years, while pipes made from galvanized steel have a lifespan of 20 to 50 years.
Test-run all water shut-off valves.
Water shut-off valves play a very important role during a plumbing emergency. Proper operation of the shut-off valves will help you prevent expensive water loss in the property. In most homes, the main water shut-off valve is located down the basement near the front foundation wall.
Ask for help from a licensed plumber
To get accurate estimates of the plumbing repairs and installations you need in your new home, do not hesitate to ask for help from a licensed and skilled plumber. Troubleshooting home plumbing problems on your own is never a wise thing to do. You can only get fast and efficient results if you hire the service of experts. Call your trusted local plumbing company today to do a plumbing inspection on your property!
