Buying a New Home? Check the Plumbing First

When you buy a home, you already know that you need a home inspection. While home inspectors are well-trained, they often lack the specialized training required to adequately diagnose plumbing issues. As the homebuyer, you should perform your due diligence and be on the lookout for any plumbing problems before you make an offer or sign the sales contract.

The Importance of a Proper Inspection by Your Edmonton Plumber

The home you are buying may only be a few years old, but it does not take decades for a home to develop costly issues in the plumbing. In fact, if the previous homeowner did not maintain the home properly, it could develop costly issues after just a year. “Buyer beware” is a true statement and once you officially purchase the home, those plumbing problems are repaired on your own dime.

Three Things to Have Inspected by Edmonton Plumbers

It is a good idea to have the entire plumbing system checked out by a professional. If you do not want to pay for a whole-house inspection, there are three critical areas you should have looked at:

1. Main Sewer Line – Clogs in sewer lines are normal, but sometimes they are an indication of something more serious. An Edmonton plumber can inspect the sewer line for signs of deterioration, clogs pending or tree roots that have penetrated the sewer line. Some sewer line repairs may require a deep trench in the yard, broken up concrete in the basement, etc. Identifying these costly repairs ahead of time can help you decide if the home is worth the hassle, or possibly negotiate a lower price with the seller.
2. Water Heaters – Water heaters do not last forever; in fact, even well maintained units last 10 to 15 years maximum. If that water heater goes out unexpectedly, you could have damaged carpet, tile flooring or real wood floors. A quick inspection will tell you if the water heater needs to be replaced and this may be something you require the seller to do before you accept the home.
3. Toilets – A leaking toilet may not seem like a big problem, but if that leak is allowed to continue, it can rot the subfloor or get between the subfloor and finished floor. This damage alone can be costly to repair.

Hiring a professional plumber can provide you with peace of mind. A plumber knows what indicators to look for and can even estimate repair costs based on the problems detected. This ultimately gives you more negotiating power and also ensures you do not buy a home that will become a money pit.

Always Plumbing & Heating’s plumbers in Edmonton offer home inspections. We can assess the condition of your new home’s entire plumbing system, including water lines and sewage, so you know what you are buying before you make it official. Give us a call today at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.