Plumbing Questions to Ask Before Buying a New Home
There are always risks when buying a new home, especially with things like electricity and plumbing.
However, you can eliminate some of these risks by asking your real estate agent targeted questions before making an offer.
The more you know about your new home's plumbing, the better off you will be.
Do All the Faucets Work Properly? Have your real estate agent demonstrate the water running from each faucet before buying a new home.
Drips, leaks and lack of water pressure can indicate problems with the home's plumbing, and you'll want those issues inspected.
Is the Hot Water Heater Updated? An old or malfunctioning hot water heater can result in high electricity bills and lukewarm water.
Ideally, the hot water heater should be no more than five years old with appropriate insulation and a capacity of at least 75 or 100 gallons.
Of course, you can also replace the hot water heater with an energy efficient mode, which could lead to a possible tax deduction.
Have the Pipes Been Winterized? If you live in a geographical location that suffers from freezing temperatures, winterization is essential in plumbing.
Before buying a new home, ask your real estate agent if the pipes, vents and other areas of the home have been winterized.
The same goes for wells if that is where your water is drawn.
Are the Pipes Made from the Proper Materials? When buying a home built before 1985, you should know there is a possibility that it contains lead pipes.
This can be dangerous for your family, and you can require that the pipes be replaced before moving in.
Even if the plumbing has been worked on in the last few years, pipes leading from the water source might still be made of lead.
Are the Pipes Large Enough? A substantial cause of low water pressure is pipes that are too narrow.
When buying a new home, ask the real estate agent about pipe size in the plumbing.
Interior pipes should be at least half an inch thick, while pipes leading from the water source should be at least one inch thick.
If they aren't, replacements might be necessary before you move in.
Are the Shut-Off Valves Working? Ask your real estate agent if the shut-off valves at the front or back of the house work properly before buying a new home.
Plumbing is a serious issue, and if the shut-off valves don't work, you could have significant problems in the event of a leak.
If any of the valves malfunction, immediate replacement is necessary.
Does the House Come with Low-Flow Toilets? Water conservation is also a serious issue in today's day and age, so ask your real estate agent if the home you want to buy is equipped with low-flow toilets.
This minimizes the amount of water that is consumed every time you flush the toilet and will help with both drought situations and your water bill.
Many new home owners ignore the issue of plumbing when buying a house, but this is a big mistake.
Your real estate agent can help you understand the plumbing in the house you want to buy and refer you to appropriate inspectors who can ensure the house is fitted with the best pipes and fixtures.
If you've purchased a new home and subsequently discovered serious plumbing problems, a good plumber is a significant asset.
Talk to your local plumber about the easiest and least expensive way to correct the problem.
However, you can eliminate some of these risks by asking your real estate agent targeted questions before making an offer.
The more you know about your new home's plumbing, the better off you will be.
Do All the Faucets Work Properly? Have your real estate agent demonstrate the water running from each faucet before buying a new home.
Drips, leaks and lack of water pressure can indicate problems with the home's plumbing, and you'll want those issues inspected.
Is the Hot Water Heater Updated? An old or malfunctioning hot water heater can result in high electricity bills and lukewarm water.
Ideally, the hot water heater should be no more than five years old with appropriate insulation and a capacity of at least 75 or 100 gallons.
Of course, you can also replace the hot water heater with an energy efficient mode, which could lead to a possible tax deduction.
Have the Pipes Been Winterized? If you live in a geographical location that suffers from freezing temperatures, winterization is essential in plumbing.
Before buying a new home, ask your real estate agent if the pipes, vents and other areas of the home have been winterized.
The same goes for wells if that is where your water is drawn.
Are the Pipes Made from the Proper Materials? When buying a home built before 1985, you should know there is a possibility that it contains lead pipes.
This can be dangerous for your family, and you can require that the pipes be replaced before moving in.
Even if the plumbing has been worked on in the last few years, pipes leading from the water source might still be made of lead.
Are the Pipes Large Enough? A substantial cause of low water pressure is pipes that are too narrow.
When buying a new home, ask the real estate agent about pipe size in the plumbing.
Interior pipes should be at least half an inch thick, while pipes leading from the water source should be at least one inch thick.
If they aren't, replacements might be necessary before you move in.
Are the Shut-Off Valves Working? Ask your real estate agent if the shut-off valves at the front or back of the house work properly before buying a new home.
Plumbing is a serious issue, and if the shut-off valves don't work, you could have significant problems in the event of a leak.
If any of the valves malfunction, immediate replacement is necessary.
Does the House Come with Low-Flow Toilets? Water conservation is also a serious issue in today's day and age, so ask your real estate agent if the home you want to buy is equipped with low-flow toilets.
This minimizes the amount of water that is consumed every time you flush the toilet and will help with both drought situations and your water bill.
Many new home owners ignore the issue of plumbing when buying a house, but this is a big mistake.
Your real estate agent can help you understand the plumbing in the house you want to buy and refer you to appropriate inspectors who can ensure the house is fitted with the best pipes and fixtures.
If you've purchased a new home and subsequently discovered serious plumbing problems, a good plumber is a significant asset.
Talk to your local plumber about the easiest and least expensive way to correct the problem.
