If you’re buying your first home, you’re taking a big step in your life, but you might also be overwhelmed by the major investment. You should always do your due diligence when inspecting any potential properties. You should focus especially on the house’s plumbing. It’s just as important as the electrical and HVAC systems, so conduct the following tests before making an offer.

Plumbing Inspection Checklist for Homebuyers

1. Monitor Water Pressure

Test all of the sinks, showers, and toilets to see what kind of water pressure they provide. Low water pressure in the plumbing makes simple tasks like washing dishes or taking a shower more difficult, so it’s best to avoid this nuisance.

If a potential house has low water pressure, don’t give up on it right away. It might just need a simple pipe cleaning to solve the issue.

2. Inspect the Water Heater

The heat pump system supplies the house with hot water, so you need to perform a visual inspection and ask when it was initially installed. They typically last 8 to 12 years.

Look for problematic signs like rusting or damaged piping and ask if it’s 10 years or older. If it’s old or showing signs of wear and tear, you can ask the current owner to replace it or negotiate the final price down.

3. Test the Water Shut-Off Valve

This component allows you to cut off the supply of water to the house, so you don’t want to wait until you have an emergency flooding problem to discover it doesn’t work. If there is an issue, it’s usually simple to fix, but make sure to inspect it before finalizing your decision.

4. Check the Grout

Most bathrooms have tiles around the shower, floor, and sink, and these are held together using a grout solution. If you see any gaps or cracks, water may have penetrated the tile and caused structural damage and mold or mildew growth. If the grout is aging, but there are no other problems, regrouting is a simple solution to protect against future water damage.

5. Walk the Yard

Rural homes that aren’t connected to a municipal sewer line have a septic tank outside, so you need to check for signs of damage like foul smells or overly lush vegetation. These indicate problems with the tank or drain field, and you should discuss them with the current homeowner before making an offer.

 

If you discover any issues with your house’s plumbing, contact Ronnie Ritchie Service Co Inc. in Waynesboro, VA. For the past 65 years, their fully licensed, insured, and bonded plumbers have helped local homeowners with a variety of issues. They’ll perform a thorough inspection of the property and provide fast and reliable repairs so you can move into your new home quickly. Call (540) 942-1415 for a free estimate or learn more about their services online.