You are looking to buy your first home. You have made an offer that was accepted, and now you’re planning to team up with a home inspector to give the property a once-over. You’re doing all the right things. During the inspection, pay close attention to the plumbing.
Plumbing issues are easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Any competent home inspector knows exactly what to look at and how to tell if there are any potential problems. But two sets of eyes are better than one. If you can learn how to spot plumbing issues, you can help your inspector do a more thorough job.
You’re checking for two things during a typical inspection. First are visible issues like drips, leaks, and so forth. Second are signs that could indicate a problem hidden behind a wall or under the floor. Let’s dig a little deeper with specifics.
Faucets and Fixtures
Salt Lake City’s Beehive Plumbing tell us that faucets and fixtures are a good place for you to start. While your inspector is looking at more complicated things, you can check each of the faucets and fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms. Check fixtures in the basement or utility room as well. Here’s what you’re looking for:
- Drips or leaks around each fixture base
- Drips from faucets and showerheads
- Low water pressure (when you turn the faucets on)
- Mineral buildup or corrosion on or around the fixtures
Drips and leaks are easy fixes and something you could do yourself after you move in. But other types of problems should probably be included in pre-sale conditions you submit to the cellar.
Under-the-Sink Plumbing
Make sure you bring a flashlight with you to the inspection. You’re going to need it for this next task: inspecting the plumbing under each of the sinks.
You will be looking at incoming water lines as well as drain lines. There should be no water beading on the connections. When you actually run the water, there should be no drips from the drain line.
Also pay attention to the floor of the cabinet. If it’s damp, there may be a leak you’re not seeing. If it’s dry but shows signs of water staining, there is a good chance that there were previous plumbing problems the owner took care of.
Flush the Toilets
It’s a good idea to flush all the toilets in the house at least once. Pay attention to weak flushing or a toilet that continuously runs. Also take a look around each toilet base. You’re looking for signs of water damage, including discoloration. Give each toilet a gentle push to see if it wobbles. It shouldn’t.
Water Heater and Visible Pipes
Take a good look at the home’s water heater. If it shows any signs of corrosion or scaling, it could be an indicator of a unit nearing end of life. Look at the incoming and outgoing connections as well. You’re looking for drips and leaks.
Any exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and utility rooms should also be given a once-over. You’re not likely to find leaks. But if you do, they need to be fixed before the sale.
The last thing (in a two-story house) is to take a good look at the first-floor ceiling that sits directly under the second-floor bathroom. Any discoloration on the ceiling suggests a past or existing plumbing problem. Discoloration and stains warrant further investigation.
Now you know the basics of how to detect plumbing problems during a home inspection. Good luck and may your new home be everything you want it to be.
