If you are house-hunting in the Hamilton area, you probably have a lot of things that you are considering. But besides considering the number of bedrooms, proximity to schools, neighbourhood, etc. it is also important to inspect the plumbing. Buying a home with faulty plumbing can end up costing you a lot more money than you bargained for. Furthermore, if you catch any plumbing issues, you can negotiate a better price for you home!
Here are a few tips on ensuring that the plumbing on your would-be new home is sound.
Faucets, sinks and toilets
When your real estate agent is showing you a potential house, the easiest plumbing components for you to check yourself are the faucets, sinks and toilets. Make sure that you turn on each faucet to ensure that there is sufficient water pressure. Weak water pressure in an older home may mean that some of the lines are too thin and must be replaced.
The faucet handles for your washing machine should also be inspected. As these remain open for years, the washer inside often disintegrates. This will cause water to leak out of the handle when you go to shut off the faucet.
You will also want to check that each of the sinks is draining properly and nothing is leaking.
Be sure to flush each toilet as well and check to see that the bowl fully drains. You will also want to inspect the base of each toilet for any leakage.
Sewer inspection
Inspecting the sewer is going to require help from a professional plumber, but if you are considering putting an offer in on the home, it is an important step. A clogged sewer line may be reasonably easy to repair, but if it is an older home and tree roots are growing into the sewer, that could be very costly.
Water heater Inspection
If your potential home is going to need a new water heater, this is something to consider when you put in your offer. You will, therefore, want to check the age of the current one and whether there is any corrosion. In Hamilton, a lot of houses rent their water heater. In this instance, you may want to identify what the monthly fees are, and if you have the option of buying out the contract.
Additionally, you should consider whether the current water heater is large enough to meet the needs of you and your family.
Water meter and supply
Another step toward inspecting the plumbing of a potential new home is to turn off all faucets and then check the water meter. If the meter is still running, it means that there is a leak somewhere in the plumbing.
You should also inspect the main shutoff valve. To do this, close the valve and turn on a few faucets. If water comes out of the valve, repairs may be necessary.
Inspecting Pipes Before Buying a Home
There are many things that you should be looking for when you check the pipes. Especially if you are buying an older home in Hamilton, you will want to check to see if the house has any lead or galvanized pipes. If it does, these pipes will need to be replaced and you can use this information to negotiate a better price for your home.
Additionally, you will want to check to see if any of the pipes are corroded or leaking, as this can be an indication there may be water damage in the home.
Having your potential home inspected by an experienced plumber can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Before you buy your next home in Hamilton, call the experts at Wentworth Plumbing.