How to Avoid Plumbing Problems Before You Buy a House

When you're buying a new house, it's important to be aware of any potential plumbing problems. A bad pipe can lead to water damage and expensive repairs down the road.

In this article, we'll discuss six of the most common plumbing problems you should look for before signing on the dotted line. Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with information and avoid plumbing problems in the future.

1. Check for Sewer Line Problems

The first thing you should do is check for any sewer line problems. A sewer line runs from your house to the main sewer and carries all of the wastewater from your home. If there are plumbing problems with the sewer line, it can cause sewage to back up into your home.

To check for sewer line plumbing problems, flush all the toilets in the house and then go outside to see if there's any sewage coming out of the ground near your home. If you see sewage, that's a sign that there's a problem with the sewer line, and you should avoid buying the property.

Sewer lines can be expensive to repair, so it's best to avoid properties with this type of problem.

2. Test the Water Heater

The water heater is another important piece of plumbing that you should check before buying a home. A bad water heater can lead to plumbing problems and expensive repairs down the road.

To test the water heater, turn on all the faucets in the house and wait for them to get hot. The hot water should come out within a minute or two. If it doesn't, that's a sign that there's something wrong with the water heater, and you should avoid buying the property.

3. Check for Leaks in Toilets and Faucets

One of the most common plumbing problems is a leaky toilet or faucet. A leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water each month and lead to expensive repairs down the road.

To check for leaks, turn on all the faucets in the house and wait for them to run for a few minutes. Then, take a look at the water meter outside your home. If it's moving, that means there's a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.

You can also test toilets for leaks by adding some food coloring to the tank and waiting for about 15 minutes. If any of the colored water appears in the bowl, that means you have a leaky toilet.

If you see any leaks, avoid buying the property. Leaks can be expensive to repair, and they'll only get worse over time.

4. Determine the Status of the Home's Water Supply Pipes

The water supply pipes are the pipes that bring water into your home. If they're old or corroded, they can lead to water damage and expensive repairs down the road.

To determine the status of the home's water supply pipes, you should find answers to these questions:

• When were the water pipes last replaced?
• What type of pipes are they? (Copper, galvanized steel, or PVC?)
• Are there any signs of corrosion on the pipes?

If the home has old or corroded water supply pipes, you should move forward with extreme caution.

5. Check Inside the Water Lines for Ice

If you see ice inside the water lines, that's a sign of bad plumbing. The ice can be caused by a number of things, including:

• A frozen water pipe
• Water pressure that's too high
• Improperly installed pipes

It's also important to remember that not all plumbing problems are visible from the outside. You should also check inside the walls for any signs of leaks or moisture damage.

6. Look Inside Your Basement for Clues

Your basement is a good place to look for clues about the plumbing. If you see any standing water, that's a sign that there could be a problem with the drainage system.

You should also look for any signs of mold or mildew. These can be caused by leaks in the plumbing system.

Need Plumbing Assistance?

As you can see, there are so many different plumbing problems to watch out for before buying a new house. To avoid plumbing problems moving forward, contact us today for a free estimate.