Should I Get a Plumbing Inspection Before Buying a Home?

Plumber inspecting pipes under sink

When buying a home, it’s essential to protect your investment by thoroughly inspecting the property. One of the most critical inspections is a plumbing inspection. This type of inspection looks at all aspects of the plumbing system, from pipes and systems to fixtures and more. Here are five reasons you should have a plumbing inspection before buying your next home.

Age

The age of your home can determine whether or not any issues with your plumbing system need to be addressed. For example, older homes may have galvanized steel pipes, which over time, will corrode and eventually need replacing. The plumber performing the inspection can show you how much life is left in these pipes and what kind of maintenance it will require going forward.

Uncover Hidden Damage

Plumbing inspections can detect any damage in the piping system due to wear and tear or other factors like water pressure or poor installation. Hidden damage is something that most people don’t think about when looking at potential homes to buy, yet it can be one of the most costly problems someone might encounter after purchase.

A plumbing inspector will look for signs of hidden damage from previous flooding or other issues related to plumbing systems throughout the house and yard so that everything gets noticed during your search process. If damage is present, then repairs can be made before moving into the home so you don’t encounter any surprises after moving in.

Avoid Surprise Leaks

Plumbing inspections are also helpful in identifying any existing leaks in pipes, fixtures, and other areas around your house and outside property lines. Not only can these leaks waste water, but they can also lead to costly damages if not addressed immediately—so make sure to complete an inspection before signing that dotted line!

Drainage

If left unchecked, poor drainage can cause serious issues like flooding or mold growth. During a pre-purchase plumbing inspection, an experienced plumber will inspect all drains and sewer lines to ensure they are properly draining away from the foundation to avoid these types of problems in the future.

Efficiency

An efficient plumbing system helps keep utility bills low while reducing water waste. Your plumber will do an efficiency assessment during their inspection to measure water flow rates and identify potential water waste areas needing attention before closing a home purchase.

Avoid Unexpected Expenses

The last thing you want when purchasing a new home is to face unexpected expenses after the deed has been transferred. By having a plumbing inspection before purchase, you can identify any existing problems and factor them into the cost of the home. This will ensure that you avoid getting stuck with significant out-of-pocket repair costs down the road.

Ensure Proper Water Pressure

The quality of your water pressure is essential when it comes to your drinking and bathing water and ensuring the proper functioning of appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. A plumbing inspection will help determine if there are any issues with your water pressure system, such as leaks or clogs in pipes, which could cause severe problems down the line if left unchecked.

Peace of Mind

Lastly, having a plumbing inspection done before purchase gives you peace of mind knowing that there won’t be any nasty surprises waiting for you once you move in! You’ll have assurances from a professional plumber who understands all aspects of plumbing systems and knows exactly what needs attention and what doesn’t for your new home’s system to run smoothly without fail over time.

Oops, I Bought A House with A Huge Plumbing Problem, Now What?

Oh no! You bought a new house, only to find some serious plumbing issues you didn’t know about.

Wondering what to do now? Follow these 3 steps:

Let’s go into more detail about these 3 steps…

Note: We are not licensed real estate agents or attorneys. However, we are plumbing professionals who have seen this issue before. You should contact your real estate agent or an attorney for advice on what options are best for your situation.


Step #1: Contact a plumber to diagnose the problem

The first thing you’ll want to do is contact a plumber to diagnose the problem so you can get an estimate on how much the repair will cost.

If the repair cost is small, it’s usually not worth trying to get your home’s previous owner to pay. Just hire a plumber to fix the issue.

On the other hand, if the plumber quotes you an expensive repair cost based on the source of the problem, then you’ll want to determine if you or the seller are responsible for the repairs…


Step #2: Determine who’s liable to pay for the plumbing repair

This is the part where you’ll want to talk to an attorney or your real estate agent.

Generally, the buyer is responsible for the plumbing repair, but under certain circumstances, the seller could be legally obligated to pay for the repair.

For example, the seller might be responsible for the plumbing repair if:

  • According to the purchase agreement, the seller was supposed to fix the issue but didn’t
  • You couldn’t have reasonably discovered the plumbing issue before the sale of the house
  • The seller intentionally misrepresented the condition of the plumbing (Florida law requires that the seller must disclose any conditions of the home that have an impact on its value or desirability)

Step #3: Hire a plumber to repair the problem

Regardless of who is liable to pay for the repair (you or the seller), you’ll likely be the one in charge of finding a trusted plumber in your area to fix the problem.

You’ll know you’ve found a quality plumber if they…

  • Are licensed and insured: Make sure your plumber is licensed in your area. If you live in the Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral or SW Florida area, Aztec Plumbing & Drains serves your area and is both licensed and insured.
  • You’ll want to make sure your plumber is insured in case anything goes wrong during the repair. That way, you’re not held liable for any damages to property or people.
  • Have a long company history: Has the company been around for a long time? That’s usually a sign that they have good business practices. A company that does poor work or doesn’t leave customers satisfied won’t be around for very long.

Aztec Plumbing & Drains has been serving Florida families since 1991.

Schedule Your Plumbing Inspection

When buying a new home, it’s important to protect your investment by thoroughly inspecting all aspects of the property before closing on it, including its plumbing system!

From inspecting for age-related damage to checking for active leaks, drainage issues, and efficiency levels, inspecting your potential property’s plumbing provides peace of mind.

So make sure to complete this essential step when looking for your dream home. Call our expert plumbers at Aztec Plumbing & Drains today! 239-932-2959

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