It’s your dream home, in the best neighborhood, and it is an absolute bargain. You’re ready to sign on the dotted line, but wait a minute! Have you checked the plumbing? We’ve been called to several newly bought homes in the last few months to redo major plumbing repairs. A thorough plumbing inspection could have saved them thousands of dollars. Buyers usually do a high-level inspection of the plumbing by opening a faucet and flushing a toilet, but savvy home buyers know that some major plumbing issues are hidden, even from the seller, and that’s why it is important to call a professional licensed plumber to do an inspection. This should happen even before you make an offer on the house. A thorough up-front plumbing inspection can help you discern the condition of the plumbing system, so that it can be fixed before you make the purchase, thus saving you a lot of money. Professional master plumbers will consider the following aspects of the plumbing:

1. Condition of the Main Sewer

Drains do become clogged from time to time, but the reason may not always be obvious. Ask a professional plumbing contractor to perform a video sewer inspection of the main sewer line before you purchase your new home. More than once, we have been called out for a clogged main sewer, just to find that it is held together only by the soil around the parts. Deteriorating lines tend to result in persistent clogs, until, finally, they give up the ghost and collapsed. When that happens, you can expect a costly, time-consuming renovation project, particularly if the line is located under a detached garage, cottage, patio or landscaping.

2. Water Heater Functionality

Depending on the water quality and volume, installation, and maintenance, a water heater should last around 10 years. However, if your water heater also provides heat to your home, it will have a shorter lifespan. Other factors relating to its functioning and lifespan will include the way it is used. Before you make an offer on the house, check where the tank is located, and how it will affect your floors or drywall, should a leak occur. While water heaters are generally placed out of sight, they can usually cause quite a bit of damage in the event of a leak. During a professional plumbing inspection, your plumber will determine whether the water heater is installed and functioning according to current plumbing codes. He will also be able to tell you whether the size is sufficient to cater to your family’s hot water and heating requirements.

3. Running or Leaking Toilets

Many homeowners neglect to fix leaks at the base of their toilets, as they usually appear small or even insignificant. However, as time goes by, the bacteria-filled water causes the subfloor to rot and it may even spread to the finished floor. Sealing it can make the problem worse in the long run.

When house-shopping, look out for the following signs of leaking or running toilets:

Warping or discoloration around the toilet base – a soft floor that seems to move under your body weight – movement of the toilet base Movement could also be put down to a broken seal, an unsecured flange or the fact that the toilet is not properly secured to the flange. A home is a big investment, so knowing what you’re in for with regards to plumbing costs, will help you to navigate the negotiation more efficiently. Ridgeway Plumbing in Atlanta at (770) 354-4594 to assist with a plumbing inspection before you buy that new home.