Top 5 Plumbing Checks Before Buying A House

Purchasing a new home can indeed feel daunting. It’s essential to know exactly what you’re getting into.

Buying a home may be the most significant decision you make, and you should not dive into it without ensuring you are 100% certain of its condition.

New home buyers must know precisely what they are being left with and perform a pre-purchase building, electrical, and plumbing inspection to avoid major problems.

Doing your research can prevent costly surprises and unnecessary expenses down the track. Imagine getting ready to move into your new home only to learn about a significant plumbing problem.

Having a plumbing inspection done on your property is crucial for ensuring everything’s in top-notch condition. This includes hot water systems, sewer pipes, leaking taps, blocked drains, water hammer issues, and even gurgling sounds.

There are plenty of common plumbing problems in Sydney and Australia. A trained eye can efficiently perform plumbing inspections, but some require expert plumbing knowledge.

How do I check the plumbing in my house?

Multiple areas of your plumbing system should be inspected, preferably by a professional plumber.

A licensed plumbing team knows exactly what to spot during a pre-purchase inspection. Older homes often require both pest and plumbing checks, as ageing systems might be damaged or in need of an upgrade.

1. Sewer Lines and drains

In older properties built years ago, grass patches and healthy trees with tree roots grow inside the pipework, particularly the sewer line. Over time, pipes can begin to crack and be damaged due to rust, poor installation or changes in water pressure. One of the most common plumbing issues that almost every homeowner has faced is clogged sewer lines and drains. However, unblocking your drain isn’t the only issue you might encounter. Other issues like foul odours, slow-moving water, recurring clogs, gurgling sounds or water hammer noise when the water flows or flooding may often accompany draining issues.

A backing-up or gurgling sink is one way to determine if you have a drainage issue. Watch out for surcharging or gurgling and smells from the drains, which indicate a potential blockage or problem with drain pipes. You may even notice a pool of water in your yard. Check for apparent indicators of overflowing water at overflow relief gullies. Having your pipes inspected will let you know their condition. Your plumber can use a high-definition CCTV camera down the pipeline to bring up any cracks or tree root invasion.

2. Water Heater

Whatever brand or model of hot water system is used at the property, it can run into issues. Some problems your water heater can experience are hot water system leaks, rusty water, no water flow, or low water pressure and temperature. On average, water heaters have a lifespan of 10 years. If the tank is older, it may be time for an upgrade.

All water heaters have various capacities, and it is best to have a hot water system suited to your needs and lifestyle. A visual inspection could identify faults in the installation and condition of piping and valves.

3. Fixtures (taps, shower, toilets)

The bathroom is one of the most frequented spaces in a home. It should function seamlessly to handle washing and waste removal. Make sure all taps, including sink and shower, are free of drips and leaks. Toilets could have problems with flushing mechanisms, or you might notice slow drainage or continuous running water in the bowl.

Check every shower to ensure water pressure is sufficient. Low pressure could point to a larger issue, like an unseen leak or clog. Also, confirm that all drains work effectively and there are no leaks from fixtures.

Inspect your washroom for leaks from fixtures or water damage on your cabinets and other surfaces. Or if you could have a blocked sink.

It’s a tedious task, but it is essential to get underneath the house to check for signs of leaks or water damage. Since most of a house’s plumbing is installed underneath, doing this will allow you to catch any issues in the plumbing system that you might have missed in your initial inspections.

4. Water Meter

A water meter still ticking even when taps are not used is a sign of a leak. If you don’t fix this, hundreds of dollars in water bills could accumulate, which is terrible news for the environment. A professional leak detection company can conceal the leak and inspect it.

Checking the water pressure is also good, as low pressure indicates faulty water pipes and valves.

5. Pipes

Underground pipes can get old, rust, crack, and split if tree roots grow. Older homes might sometimes have galvanised steel pipes, which will eventually corrode and rust, causing pipe collapse. Or you could find that your pipes are moving and making a hammering sound inside the walls. Take a look at your walls. Can you see watermarks and mould? See that your new home has pipes of the correct size installed. If the pipes are too small, the water pressure will be lower, which could increase the potential for damage in the future.

Pipes play a critical role in your home’s plumbing. If they’re compromised, it could lead to future problems like flooding. It’s wise to have a professional plumber evaluate their condition. You might be able to repair them, but severe damage could necessitate replacement.

Your plumbing system is an integral part of your property, and you need to make sure things like drains, toilets, showers, sewer lines and water heaters are working in the best condition. An informed buyer will check out the computer specs when buying a new one. When buying a car, the exterior and interior aren’t the only ones that need checking. It’s also a must to check out what’s under the hood.

Buying a home is a major investment, and getting your money’s worth is crucial. A house can be an asset, but it might become a liability if you start facing hefty maintenance costs.

Make sure to thoroughly examine the house’s features, particularly the plumbing system. It’s one of the most expensive to install, repair, renovate, and maintain.

A licensed plumber in Sydney can conduct the necessary inspection and report back their findings so you can quickly fix any plumbing problems.