Buying a new home is an exhilarating experience, but it can be really challenging to remember everything you need to check before committing to one. You want to make sure that your new home is perfect and no stone was left unturned in your inspections. Unfortunately, one of the things that tends to fall through the cracks is plumbing inspection. While many homeowners order a plumber out to inspect a new home, more often than not it occurs after the home has been bought. Here are three parts of a plumbing system that ought to be checked before buying a new home.
1. Main Sewer
The main sewer is one of the most critical pieces of plumbing infrastructure in a home and neglecting to have it checked out can have serious repercussions, both financially and health-wise. It is highly recommended that a prospective homebuyer ought to have a professional plumber come out to do a camera inspection on the main sewer line. You can gain valuable insight on whether that home is prone to drainage problems or has any ticking time-bomb clogs.
2. Water Heater
The average water heater has a lifespan of about 10 years. Consider the location of the water heater in the home and what kind of property damage might be reasonably expected were it to leak. Unfortunately, it is quite common to see water heaters placed in areas where a significant amount of damage could result if something were to go wrong. Have your plumber take a look at the model and serial number of the water heater to determine its age and check to make sure it is up to code.
3. Toilets
Homeowners tend to neglect fixing leaks at the base of the toilet, often because they seem insignificant at first. Over time, however, the subfloor will start to rot away, creating some serious headaches for the new homeowner. Check for discoloration or warping around the base of the toilet to see if this problem is being left untreated. Also, the toilet bowl should stay rock-solid on the floor – it should not rock or sway. If the toilet bowl moves, that could be another problem.
Helping Keep Your Plumbing in Great Shape Year-Round
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with your noisy water heater (or just about anything else plumbing related!). We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.