Plumbing Systems and Real Estate Transactions

Anyone who has purchased or is about to buy a home is probably somewhat familiar with the home inspection process.  Unfortunately, for some happy new homeowners the excitement of their new purchase quickly changes to frustation and anxiety because their home inspection, completely missed some plumbing problems that the previous owners did not disclose.

It’s not the home inspectors fault though!  They can only give you a general condition of the overall building, they don’t have the specialized equipment and knowledge that an experienced plumber would, if they are a good home inspector, they will tell you this and probably recommend you hire a licensed plumber to complete a thorough inspection.

Why Bother With A Plumbing Inspection?

Many homeowners, just don’t bother because of the additional expense.  The truth is, plumbing problems are often not something that is easy to see on the surface.  If it’s not a visible problem then it’s out-of-sight and out-of-mind.  The problem with a plumbing system though, is it’s very expensive to work on, repair or replace because it’s often underground or within the walls and foundation of your home.  We’re talking repair/replacement bills into 5 figures ($10,000+) in some cases, and this isn’t the type of surprise expense you want when purchasing a home!

Plumbing Problems Can Be Easy To Hide From Those Who Don’t Know!

But they are also very easy for an experienced plumber with the right equipment to spot.  Slow drains, clogged or backed up drains, leaky pipes, corroded pipes, broken sewer or drain lines, these are all plumbing problems that can be easily masked, especially if you are not the one living in the home at the time of sale!

When a plumber visually inspects the system and then inspects the inside using a drain camera, all will be revealed!

What Should You Be Looking For During A Real Estate Plumbing Inspection?

If you’re going to go it alone, it’s better to be educated, than not at all!  There are a few things you’ll need to know right away.

#1.  Is the property on Septic or Sewer?  You’ll also need to know the locations of the septic field or sewer connections.

#2.  Are there any large trees within close proximity to the home?  Tree roots can cause big problems!

#3.  Is the home an older home?  If so older clay pipes can be broken, iron can be corroded.

#4.  Are all of household drains working correctly?  bathrooms, sinks and showers?

#5.  Have you visually inspected all of the plumbing you can see?

#6.  Are there any water stains on flooring, drywall or ceiling tiles that might indicate a leak or problem?

#7.  What type of water does the home have?  City?  Well?

#8.  What is the water quality like?

#9.  Does the home have any filtration systems, or pressure tanks installed?

#10.  How old is the hot water tank?

Even if you are attentive and thorough and do your own visual inspection, this still won’t show you the condition of the sewer and drain lines that run out from the home and into the city sewer or septic tank.  These are the lines that can be infiltrated by tree-roots or can break or corrode.  The only way to find the location or extent of these issues is to use a sewer and drain camera.

 

When Should You Call A Plumber?

If you are looking at purchasing a home then getting a clean bill of health on the home is really important, just remember most home inspectors will not be inspecting your plumbing. To avoid expensive surprises after you’ve moved in, consider getting a clean bill of health on the plumbing too!

Why Choose 1st Choice Plumbing and Drain For Your Plumbing Needs?

1st Choice Plumbing and Drain is a full service plumbing contractor based out of Parma, Ohio and serving West Cleveland and the surrounding area.  When you choose 1st Choice you are partnering with a small, owner-operated plumbing company who will treat your home as if it were their own.

When you call us we’ll be able to dispatch a plumber to your location with everything required to fix the problem “on-hand”.  Whenever possible we’ll try and offer multiple options for repair (done the right way) to work within your budget.

If you’d like an estimate to help repair your plumbing please call (440) 812-1888 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get right back to you.