How to avoid plumbing issues

Inspect a home’s water issues before you buy it. That
way, you won’t have to spend money down the road
on plumbing-related repairs.

Friday,  December 16, 2005

Prospective homebuyers visit homes with a list of requirements in tow. They want X number of bedrooms, Y number of bathrooms, Z square footage, etc. A home becomes even more attractive if it has all the X,Y, Zs at the right price.

But, it’s important not to forget about what’s going on beneath the home, such as faulty plumbing or water leakage. Such repairs can prove costly, making you pay more than you bargained for. Don’t try to ignore such issues by telling yourself, “It won’t happen to me.” It could happen to you: According to industry experts, a recent study found that 44 percent of people call a plumber within one year of purchasing a new home.

Avoid sinking yourself knee-deep into unnecessary expenditures on your new home by following these tips when inspecting a prospective home:

Toilets: Inspect the base of toilets for signs of water damage. Check for soft floors by standing over the toilet and rocking back and forth on each foot. If the floor feels spongy, it likely has water damage. See how fast the toilet flushes, or if water backs up in the bowl.

Bathtubs: Check for leaky or loose tiles. Press on the point where the walls meet the tub. If they’re soft, water has most likely caused damage behind the tiles.

Plumbing: Turn on the water in the bathtub and kitchen sink. If there is not that much water coming out, the pipes may need to be replaced. Look at the ceiling — if it looks like it was just painted or you see water spots, that may be an indication of water damage. If the house has a basement, inspect exposed pipes for leaks, rot and recent repairs. Don’t forget about examining outdoor spigots and houses for signs of damage.

Water heater: Make sure the water heater isn’t more than 15 years old. (The first four digits of the heater’s serial number are the month and year it was made). If it vents into the chimney, make sure the chimney is lined, indicated by a metal liner sticking out of the top of the chimney.

Kitchen: The garbage disposal and dishwasher connection should work properly. Use a flashlight to make sure cabinets aren’t damaged by water.

Laundry room: Check washing machine hoses for rupture and turn valves on and off to test for leaks.

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