Plumbing problems can be a major setback when you’re buying a new home. Not all sellers are keen on advertising the fact that they have faulty plumbing, and even those who are well-intentioned might omit or simply not be aware of certain types of damage that will be very difficult to fix once the house is yours.
If you want to make sure that the seller will fix all the problems that are present around the house, consider the following recommendations regarding the most important and common plumbing problems that you can encounter when purchasing a new home. Dealing with them quickly can save you a lot of money and trouble in the long run.
Why Even Try to Detect Plumbing Issues
Unless you plan to tear down the entire house and build a new one, the plumbing inside the new house you buy is an essential element that has to be properly inspected and taken care of. Faulty plumbing can not only be difficult to fix, but it can also delay your plans and cost you a lot of money.
Moreover, the worst part is that some of the plumbing might be old but still working properly. If the winter comes and one or more of the pipes break because of the cold and increased pressure, you’ll be looking at plumbing repair costs alongside a lot of water damage to fix that can cost you thousands of dollars.
The Most Common Problems to Check for
Old parts and plumbing pipes that look like they’re still in fairly good condition are the main thing to look for due to the reasons listed above. Even if they don’t break, these pipes will normally need to be replaced because they can easily crack and create small fissures which are hard to detect but could lead to leaks, mold and water damage over a longer period of time.
Make sure to check areas like the basement or places where there are faucets that haven’t been used for a long time – such as in an unused second bathroom. Turning on the water in such areas might lead to plumbing damage that you won’t be able to see initially. If the homeowner didn’t disclose and deal with the damage, and the closing process was completed, then you’ll be left to pay for the repairs yourself.
According to expert Denver plumbing contractors, aside from leaking pipes, some of the other common plumbing issues to look for include:
- Drainage that is slow or clogged;
- Dripping faucets that either drip all the time or only when the water is turned on;
- Low water pressure on all or just some of the faucets;
- Low water temperature, overly high pressure and other water heater issues;
- Sump pump failure or a sump pump that doesn’t seem to work properly.
All of these issues can lead to costly repairs down the line, so they should be dealt with as quickly as possible. Consider talking to your realtor to have all these problems checked out and to inspect the property thoroughly before they give you the green light to buy it.