What To Look For In Your Prospective Home's Plumbing: A Guide To Not Getting Ripped Off

The median age for homes in the U.S. is 37 years. Therefore, if you're thinking of purchasing a home, your final choice is likely to have been pre-owned. Homes have an extensive lifespan, particularly when well-maintained. However, one component of the home that may age prematurely is plumbing. 

The life expectancy of plumbing will depend on a variety of factors, so it isn't always easy to guess the state of a home's plumbing from its age or to thus conclude whether repair investment will be necessary — unless you examine the plumbing itself. Here's what a plumber will advise you to look out for. 

Don't Hesitate to Check Every Outlet 

The early stages of a plumbing inspection entail checking every water-using appliance and plumbing outlet to ensure it functions properly. Typically, homeowners upgrade their appliances before a sale to entice prospective buyers with gleaming, polished new surfaces and tools. 

However, these upgrades aren't always installed properly or might not function adequately with the underlying installation. While you'll need a plumber's services to ascertain a diagnostic, you can note what outlets are malfunctioning yourself. 

For this inspection, you'll want to open every faucet and tap, flush every toilet, open every shower both on the hot and cold water sides, and inspect the drain to ensure it doesn't let off a foul odor or seem overly filled. 

A properly functioning toilet should refill after a few minutes of flushing. A refill occurring without a flush can be a sign of a leak somewhere in the pipeline. Check the shower water pressure, the space beneath the sinks to be certain there's no leak when water runs. 

Perform a Water Heater Inspection 

One of the most necessary components of good plumbing is a water heater that functions up to your desired and most energy and water-efficient standards. To assert whether the water heater is functioning properly, you'll need to hire a plumber who can tell how much water is used every time someone showers, how much water is wasted, and whether the water heater is old or damaged. 

A damaged water heater may still be heating your water semi-efficiently, making problems hard to notice before a full-on replacement is needed. However, a grumbling noise or rust in the water are common indicators of a worn-out machine. 

Before you purchase your home, make sure a plumbing professional of your choice inspects the home or makes an assessment of your observations to gain accurate insight on the repair work you may need to perform.