5 Questions You Should Ask During Your Plumbing Inspection

Buying a new home can be challenging. The search, the move, and even the furnishings can come with big price tags. Your new home’s plumbing shouldn’t be an additional bill. A house with a bad plumbing system can be a financial nightmare. This is why it’s important to schedule a plumbing inspection before you make any big property investments as doing so can save you thousands of dollars and plenty of time. Here are a few questions you should ask your plumbing inspector during the assessment of your future home to prevent future buyer’s remorse.

Question 1: Is the Plumbing System Raising Any Red Flags?

If you are unfamiliar with plumbing systems and have no idea what to look for, the best thing to do is to trust the professionals and ask for insight. Asking if your prospective home’s plumbing system raises any red flags allows for a general scope, but detailed answer into the condition of your prospective home. Your plumber will generally conduct a series of tests on the home’s plumbing system and this will give you an indication of how much plumbing maintenance and repairs are needed.

Question 2: What is the Condition of the Main Sewer?

Main sewer drains are central to a home’s plumbing system. Most of your home’s plumbing problems can be traced back to the main sewer because it connects the city sewer to your home’s plumbing system. If the previous owners didn’t maintain the house’s main sewer, the sewer could be clogged, and you would only find out about it after you’ve signed the mortgage. Clogged sewers can be expensive to fix if the problem has been left unsolved for an extended period of time.

During the plumbing inspection, ask the technician to check the condition of your prospective home’s main sewer line. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we make use of a fiber optic camera to inspect main sewer lines. A plumbing snake is attached and the camera and is sent down into the house’s sewer system. The footage can be viewed onsite allowing our inspectors to diagnose any problems sooner rather than later. If any problems are spotted, you can ask the seller to fix it before you purchase the house.

Question 3: Does the Water Heater Need Replacing?

If you are buying an older home, inspecting the water heater is essential before you make an offer to purchase. Water heaters generally last for 10 years, but poor maintenance can make the water heater ineffective way before this. This can result in poor water quality, high energy bills, and unplanned cold showers. A leaking water heater can wreak havoc on your new home’s hardwood floors and can damage walls and wiring. These repairs are unnecessary and avoidable expenses. During the plumbing inspection, you should ask your plumber about the condition of the home’s water heater. If it is old or badly placed the seller can make the necessary changes to ensure that the water heater doesn’t add to your list of expenses.

Question 4: How are the Pipes Looking?

The condition of the pipes in a house can remain a mystery until clogging or damage occurs. Pipe corrosion can spread through your new home’s plumbing system simply through daily use. Every time you open a tap, the oxygen in the water damages your home’s pipes resulting in rust over time. The rust creates build up and this leads to clogging and serious systemic problems that could see your entire home’s plumbing system redone. A thorough inspection by a professional is an easy way to prevent the worst from happening. The plumbing inspector will be able to spot the first signs of pipe corrosion and can also provide plumbing maintenance insight to ensure that your new home’s plumbing system lasts.

Question 5: What is the Estimated Repair Cost?

If the inspection indicates that repairs are needed to your new home’s plumbing system, it is best to ask your plumber to provide a detailed quote. Doing so will help you decide whether a new property is for you and your budget. It will prevent unwanted surprises and allow for an informed purchase.

Finding a plumbing company in your area is the first in purchasing your new home. Contact Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric in South Florida today and we will gladly assist in the inspection of your prospective home.