Plumbing Problems Home Buyers Should Look For

The process of buying a new home is a long and strenuous one. Part of this process is going to each house and taking tours to see which one is right for you. With style and taste aside, you need to be actively looking for any problems that could cost you money to fix post-purchase. Keep an eye out for these plumbing problems, as they could make any house less attractive to buy.

Brown Ceiling Stains

Take a look up at the ceilings and walls of each room in the house. Are there any brown stains? These are water stains and seeing them could mean you either have a leaky roof or a leaky pipe. Investigate these stains to see if you would have to spend money on fixing either the roof, the plumbing behind the walls, or both. Some of these stains could be from a previous problem, but it’s better to make sure before buying.

Slow Drainage

Test all of the sink faucets, showers, and bathtubs to see the speed in which they drain. Any drain that’s taking an excessive amount of time to drain water is usually a bad sign. This means that there’s likely a lot of buildup or a blockage somewhere within the plumbing that needs to be cleared. In a worst case scenario, what you thought were clogged drains could end up being the main sewer line being infiltrated by tree roots.

Leaky Pipes

Inspect as much of the plumbing system as you can — pipes under the sink, faucets, shower heads, water supply lines, plumbing fixtures and appliances, and all of their fittings and connections. Look to see if there is any condensation, slow-drip leaks, and standing water anywhere in the immediate area. Leaks like this can cost the owner of the house money in high monthly water bills and future repair bills when the eventual mold and water damage will need to be removed.

Actively looking for plumbing problems during a tour can help you decide which house will cost you the least in maintaining once you’re moved in. If you need to repair plumbing problems in your current or new home, contact Len The Plumber. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (800) 950-4619.