3 Major Reasons To Get A Plumbing Inspection Before Buying A House
Are you about to start shopping for your first home? Have you made a list of things to look for when you go out to view houses for sale? You've probably made a list of things, such as how the house you buy needs to have 3 bedrooms, a certain size yard, a kitchen with an island, or a smaller and more intimate kitchen, and so on. What you probably have not done is made a list of things that should get further inspection before making a decision one way or another. One of these things that should definitely get further consideration is the plumbing system. There are a number of reasons to get it professionally inspected, including:
Mold and rot: If there's nobody living in a home while it's being sold, the water may have been turned off. When it's off, some of the most obvious signs of a leak may become less obvious. In some cases, some of the evidence may remain but it can be hard to tell if the leak is still an active one or if it was repaired but the water damage wasn't fully fixed. An experienced plumber looking at the plumbing system will be able to tell you whether it seems likely that you will have to deal with any potentially costly repairs once the water is turned back on.
Clogs: The line leading from your home to the city sewer or septic tank is underground, making it invisible and easily forgotten. However, without a full plumbing inspection, you have no way of knowing whether or not you're due for a terrible surprise the first time you try to flush the toilet after using it. Depending on what the previous owners flushed down the drain or how often they tackled roots growing into the pipes, there could be a serious clog in the making down there. It may only take a few more days or weeks of use to become a problem but you'll have no way of knowing this without a full inspection.
DIY failures: In an effort to save money, some homeowners will attempt DIY solutions instead of calling a qualified professional. Unlike a DIY electrical job, a plumbing DIY job isn't necessarily a huge danger to yourself and to your family, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea. Without being familiar with plumbing codes and regulations, the plumbing job may only partially work, it may have used the wrong materials, it may be on the verge of a severe leak due to corrosion, or there may be some other issue. If you're not a plumber yourself, it may be impossible for you to spot that there is anything amiss with the plumbing system.
Contact a plumbing repair company such as Travers Plumbing & Heating Inc to learn more.
