Purchasing a home is a very involved process, and for good reason. You want the home you buy to be in great shape before you move in so that you don’t find yourself spending months of your time and thousands of dollars fixing issues you may have overlooked before you bought the house. Here are some of the most common plumbing issues you need to look out for when buying a home.
Water Heaters
One of the most common items homeowners end up replacing soon after they move in is the water heater. Water heaters usually last about 10 years and can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 to replace. Professional plumbers can take the model and serial number of the unit and determine its precise age, but other signs of aging are corrosion and lack of hot water. When a water heater goes bad it can cause major flooding, so making sure the home you’re buying has a healthy water heater is essential to preventing future water damage.
Water Pipes
Worn piping, pinhole leaks, and corroded joints are all signs that the home’s pipes are in unfavorable condition and may soon leave you with serious water damage. Pipes that aren’t the right size for the home will usually cause restricted water flow through the plumbing fixtures. Uninsulated pipes will leave them prone to freezing and bursting in the colder seasons.
Sinks and Faucets
Drains clog very easily from things like food, hair, and toiletry reside. Small clogs are usually an easy fix, but it’s often harder to tell if there is a bigger problem below the surface. To check the drains in a home, run the faucets for 2-3 minutes. If you notice a clog, note how long it takes for the sink to completely drain itself of the water. You can also check under sinks for water drips and leaks.
Toilets
A few signs that a plumbing problem exists with a toilet are water consistently running in the tank, water that is too low or high in the bowl, and water around the base of the fixture. It’s also important to check that the toilet is securely in place and does not wiggle when you try to move it.
Are you in the process of purchasing a home? Look to the professionals at Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating and schedule a plumbing inspection in Eldersburg, MD today! We provide honest and dependable 24/7 service to homeowners and homebuyers all throughout the state. Contact us for more information.