Post Two

May 24, 2021
11:26 am

Congrats on buying your brand new home or making the steps to buy a new home. This is a massive commitment and amongst all of this excitement, you do not want to miss some important pre purchase steps. Taking these steps can give you peace of mind and eliminate any large unplanned repairs.

Below we have listed 10 significant plumbing checks that should be made. We have kept it short and sweet so it is easy to digest:

1. Check the water quality and flow

The easiest thing you can do to check for plumbing quality is to turn on the tap. Let the water run on full for around 30 seconds and then turn it off. Make sure to carefully observe for any smells, unusual colours and check the flow. These are all immediate indicators of how the plumbing is.

2. Take note of any noises

When testing the plumbing, you can also pay attention to any weird sounds. Listen carefully for gurgling or bubbling noises coming from the sink, toilet, shower or dishwasher.

3. Look around for water leaks

It is really important to check under the sink and around toilets and bathtubs. Dampness, wet spots and discoloured areas will reveal leaks in the plumbing system.

4. Inspect the tiling job

Water can leak from pipes and slowly eat away at the layer underneath the tiles, this will cause the tiles to feel loose and uneven. Make sure you feel around and examine the entire tiling job.

5. Check for wobbly toilets

Wobbly toilets can point towards a water leak that has slowly eaten away at the wax seal around the toilet and possibly even the sub-floor. Feel the floor around the toilet, does it feel soft rather than firm and solid? Chances are that the toilet is leaking from the bottom.

6. Observe the drainage

Turn on taps, showers and flush the toilets to observe how quickly the water goes down the drain. The speed at which the water drains determines how good the plumbing is.

It it drains quickly and smoothly without any sounds, the drains are in good shape. If it drains slowly and the water gurgles, chances are the plumbing is not in good shape. This could be due to cracked pipes, blockages or build up somewhere along the pipes.

7. Check for discoloured pipes

As you are investigating under the sink or in other areas, take a look at the pipes. Take note of any discolouration that could indicate dampness due to leaks along the drain lines. The leak could have even originated from the supply line, which could result in a very costly disaster.

Be wary of corroded pipes. These pipes must be replaced.

8. Check the sewer pipes

Issues with sewer lines are sometimes the trickiest plumbing problems there is and a damaged sewer pipe can easily be the most difficult to repair.

You want to steer clear of a house with a bad sewer system.

9. Check the roof

When inspecting house plumbing, do not forget the roof! Roof plumbing problems can cause water to seep into the ceiling. Water can also sit in the gutters and that can cause drainage and structural damage.

Look for rust spots.

10. Look for ceiling stains

This is a really important step as the source of the stain is most likely from a leak.

Plumbing Maintenance Services can take care of all of your pre purchase plumbing inspections. As part of the inspection, all plumbing will be checked and reported on.

This is really important as it may save you thousands on unexpected plumbing costs in the future.