Buying a New Home? Why You Need a Plumbing Inspection First

Buying a new home is both one of the most stressful and one of the most exciting things you can do. So whether you’re upsizing to accommodate a growing family, relocating for a job opportunity, or finally purchasing your dream home, you’re probably relieved that the house-hunting and negotiations are over. 

But before you sign off on your new home, you should make sure to get the plumbing system inspected. At Four Seasons Plumbing, we offer plumbing inspections to homebuyers in the Asheville, NC, area.  While it prolongs the process of making your home purchase official, it can save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.

Reasons to have a plumber do an inspection before you sign

Some people buy a fixer-upper for the fun of getting to renovate it themselves. Others want a move-in ready home. Having a plumbing inspection before you purchase a new home lets you be sure you know what you’re getting into.

The home might need expensive plumbing repairs

In an ideal world, you would hope the previous owners would tell you if something was wrong with the plumbing system or (even better) have it fixed before putting their house on the market. But, unfortunately, this isn’t something you can count on. In some cases, the seller might not even know they have a problem with their plumbing system. 

If the plumbing inspection reveals significant issues with the plumbing system that you will need to pay to have repaired, this will lower the home’s value. However, you could negotiate the seller down from the asking price or see if they will pay for the repairs before you move in.

Tackle problems before its too late

In the case of minor plumbing issues, sellers might not be aware that anything is wrong. However, minor plumbing issues that go unaddressed can quickly become major problems. This can happen months or years after you’ve already been living in the house. Having a plumbing inspection done before you move in can help you find and fix plumbing issues while they are still minor and inexpensive. 

Ensure that the exterior pipes are in good condition

While it may be easier to notice some plumbing problems inside of a home—such as water damage from leaking pipes or an unpleasant smell around a sink or toilet—it may be harder to recognize problems with the pipes outside your home. This could include the pipes that carry water from the municipal waterline to your home, your sprinkler system if you have one, or your septic tank. 

Unfortunately, most normal home inspections won’t catch these issues, so it’s important that you bring in a professional plumber to make sure all of the pipes connected to your home, even those outside, are in good condition. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot of time and money on repeated plumber visits and expensive repairs over the next several years.

Things your plumber should look for

The main reason for bringing in a plumber for a dedicated plumbing inspection is to ensure that all parts of your system are in good working order. However, here are some of the most important areas you should make sure are included in a plumbing inspection.

Leaking pipes

Leaking pipes are one of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners face. They might be a sign that your pipes are getting older, the joints between them are loosening, or the metal is rusting. However, they can also indicate a blockage somewhere else in the system. 

Leaking pipes lead to water damage and may even weaken your home’s foundation over time. Standing water can also lead to mold and mildew, which is a health hazard, and rust and weaken your pipes even more. 

Water Quality

There is nothing worse than moving into your new home only to discover that there is no clean, safe water for you to drink, cook, or bathe with. During the inspection, the plumbing inspector will make sure that the water runs clear and does not have an unusual odor. If they find water quality issues, they can investigate the cause. In some cases, there might have been temporary contamination that is easy to resolve. Other times, it may indicate that the pipes are old and need to be replaced. 

Clogged Sewer Line

Your home’s sewer line carries waste away from your home and to the proper treatment plants. If there is an obstruction in the line, it can cause waste to back up into your home. Human waste carries bacteria and other microorganisms, and having it accumulate in your plumbing system is a major health hazard. If there is a problem with the sewer line, it may need to be partially or totally replaced. Replacing all or even part of your sewer line is expensive. If your home needs a new sewer line, you need to know before signing an offer.

Water Heater Issues

The last thing you want during your first winter in your new home is to discover that you don’t have any hot water. Taking cold showers is frustrating enough, therefore, no matter what season you are moving into your new home, you want to make sure that the water heater is in good condition. During a plumbing inspection, the inspector can check for any water heater leaks, cracks, or signs of water damage in the area around the heater. They may also test that the pilot light and ignition are working properly. 

Schedule a Plumbing Inspection with Four Seasons Plumbing

If you’re preparing to buy a home in the Asheville, NC, area, make sure to consult the professionals before you send in your final offer. Four Seasons Plumbing offers thorough plumbing inspections so homebuyers can rest assured that they won’t have any unfortunate surprises in their new home. 

Call to learn more, or schedule an appointment with a plumbing inspector online.