If you’re in the market for a new home, it’s easy to get caught up in the visible aspects of each property you tour. But while style and size will play a big role in your purchasing decision, it’s also important to pay attention to the functional qualities of the house, especially when it comes to plumbing. To ensure everything is flowing the way it should, here are five important items that all homebuyers should add to their plumbing checklists.

5 Plumbing Features to Check Before Buying a Home

1. Toilets

Flush each toilet in the house to make sure there are no signs of a clog. Slow-draining toilets may indicate a higher potential for a backup. It’s also important to inspect the toilet’s structure for potential signs of a leak, such as a loose, discolored, or warped base. If you spot any of these problems, these toilets could be a major source of excessive water usage.

2. Showers

Poor temperature control and water pressure can make showering unbearable. As such, you should test out each shower in the house. While testing, be sure to look at the shower heads up close. If you spot mineral buildup, hard water is likely a problem. Fortunately, that can be fixed by installing a new water softener.

3. Pipes

Ideally, you’ll want newer pipes, such as those made from copper or stainless steel, as they are resistant to corrosion. Pipes that are galvanized steel or cast iron are likely older materials that will need to be replaced relatively soon. Apart from the age, you should also check pipes for damage that could increase the risk of a leak, such as corrosion and loose fittings.

4. Water Heater

If the water heater is close to 10 years or older, you can expect to pay for a replacement soon. To ensure that the existing system is up to the daily demand for hot water, look for common water heater problems—such as leaks, odd noises, imprecise thermostats, and tank corrosion.  

5. Sewer Line

Hire a plumber to inspect the sewer line using a special camera. This inspection will help you pinpoint clogs, invasive roots, and corroded pipes — all problems that could interrupt your home’s ability to safely remove waste. Since replacing bad sewer pipes can be time-consuming and disruptive, it’s best to address these issues before they grow worse.

If you’ve found the home of your dreams, Bernie Buchner, Inc. is here to make sure you’re not headed for a plumbing nightmare. Serving the La Crosse, WI, community for more than six decades, this HVAC repair and plumbing company knows how to perform in-depth inspections to catch issues that may weaken your investment. With state-of-the-art tools and techniques, this team is also able to fix existing problems so you can move in with better peace of mind. To learn more about these abilities visit this plumber online or call (608) 784-9000. Text JOIN to (608) 480-8709 to receive text message updates!