POIs for Home Inspection
Home buyers must consider the importance of a professional plumbing inspection before making an offer. Professional plumbers know what to look for, and can identify problems that might not be immediately apparent, including those involving fixtures, pipes drains or sewer lines. Some of these issues might have an inexpensive, easy fix, but others could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.
No home buyer wants to end up with a money pit, so it’s important that you schedule a professional plumbing inspection before making an offer on any house. Meanwhile, as you look for your Florida dream home, follow our tips below to help pinpoint potential plumbing problems—and avoid them!
Test the Toilets
People buying a house should make sure that all the toilets flush properly, and check the floors around them for discoloration or soft spots. A leak near these fixtures can cause serious damage to floorboards if left unchecked. If your inspection shows that the damage has already started, you may want to take a pass on the rest of the house.
Size Up the Sewage System
The plumbing systems of Floridian homes either work by septic tank, or they are linked to city sewage lines. Either way, clogged drains can cause property damage. Be on the lookout for unpleasant odors and pools of water around your house, and consider having a professional video camera inspection performed on your sewer lines.
Check Over the Water Heater
Replacing a water heater can cost thousands of dollars, which isn’t something you want to face as a home buyer. Dampness, rust and no hot water are all signs that trouble is brewing, so if your current water heater is more than 10 years old it may be nearing the end of its lifespan.
Delve Into the Drains
A clogged drain can lead to serious plumbing leaks, which are costly for home buyers to repair. As part of your inspection, make sure that kitchens, bathrooms and basement drains are free of clogs by turning on the faucets and letting them run for a few minutes. When looking in the bathroom, check for water marks and mold under the sinks.
Watch Out for Water Stains
Look at the ceilings as you tour houses. If there are any brown stains, a pipe or roof may be leaking. Some of these might have already been repaired by the current homeowner (which means they won’t automatically disqualify your offer on that property) but it’s always best go in with eyes wide open!
Size Up the Sewage System
The plumbing systems of Floridian homes either work by septic tank, or they are linked to city sewage lines. Either way, clogged drains can cause property damage. Be on the lookout for unpleasant odors and pools of water around your house, and consider having a professional video camera inspection performed on your sewer lines.
When you’re buying a home, schedule a professional plumbing inspection before committing to the purchase. A veteran plumber can let you know if there are repairs that need to be accounted for in your offer on the house or areas where it might make more sense just to cross off of your list.
If you are thinking of buying a house, Conyers Plumbing can perform a thorough plumbing inspection and identify any problems in the sewer lines or drains that could lead to major financial woes.
