Before purchasing a home, it’s important to inspect every system in the house. In particular, the plumbing can be a major headache for homeowners who don’t fully examine it. First-time homebuyers often end up with unexpected plumbing repairs due to only doing a casual inspection. To ensure you don’t buy a faulty house, use the following checklist. 

3 Plumbing Features to Inspect When Buying a Home  

1. Water Heater

This appliance is expensive to replace, so it’s important to fully inspect it. Start by switching the heater on and checking for leaks and strange noises, such as whistling. Next, turn on the sinks and watch for muddy or sandy water. If you notice rusty water, the system may have corroding parts. Finally, ask about the age of the appliance; they’re only built to last around 15 years.  

2. Sinks & Toilets

When inspecting the toilets, start by flushing each one in the house. Make sure that the water fully drains and that there’s no leakage at each fixture’s base. Extensive leaks and drainage issues may require costly plumbing repairs, so bring them up during the negotiation process. The seller should lower the price of the home or pay for the plumbing work.  

Additionally, examine the sinks for common issues, such as faucet leaks and dripping water below the fixture. As you’re inspecting each one, make sure the water doesn’t drain slowly, as this may be a sign of a blockage. 

3. Sewers

For this part of the inspection, it’s particularly essential to work with a plumber. Have them do a camera inspection to look for tree roots in the system, which can lead to a variety of issues, including backups. The roots are often found deep in the system, so they’ll be hard to find without a camera. If they are discovered, negotiate with the seller to have them pay for hydro-jetting services.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer and want to ensure that a plumbing system is issue-free, contact Murphy's Plumbing Company. Serving Orange County, NC, for over 30 years, their plumbers have experience inspecting houses and can help you with the negotiation process by offering price estimates. Also, if you discover that plumbing repairs are needed after moving into a new place, they will help. To learn more, call (919) 563-5165 or visit them online.