Before Buying, Will You Test the Plumbing or Will the Plumbing Test You?

“This is something a lot of people don’t think about until it’s too late,” said Roger Goertz, Owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing Houston. “Then the new homeowners are stuck with the costs of plumbing repairs, making them pay more than they had originally expected.”

But catching them now with a plumbing checkup and a camera inspection of the home’s main drain lines can help potential buyers factor the repair costs into the decision making process.

Similar to drain lines, plumbing fixtures may not be an obvious concern when deciding on which house to buy. They should not be overlooked either.

“The last thing you need after moving into a new home is unexpected and inconvenient plumbing problems,” Goertz said. “We see this over and over again.”

So Mr. Rooter put together a plumbing guide to keep problems from throwing a wrench in the home-buying experience:

Sinks:

• Examine faucets to make sure they do not drip. Also check aerators to make sure they are not calcified and are working properly. Check faucet handles to make sure they are secure and not stripped and shut off in the correct position.
• Fill sinks with water and then drain to ensure good drain flow.
• Open cabinet doors and check under sinks for leaks. Also check to see if the stops are easily turned off or need to be replaced.
• Look for rust and corrosion on sinks as well as all drain pipes.

Bathroom:

• Fill bathtubs with water and then drain to confirm good drain flow.
• Inspect the base of toilets for signs of water damage or soft floors. Make sure the toilet is sealed to the floor to prevent odor/smells from entering the bathroom via the toilet base.
• Flush toilets. Check for continual running, and make sure debris clears from the bowl. Check the condition of the tank to make sure all debris and buildup has been cleaned and removed.

Kitchen:

• Run garbage disposal and dishwasher to make sure they work properly. Make sure to run the dishwasher full cycle. If the refrigerator is equipped with a water and ice line, make sure it is properly maintained and there is a shut off.

laundry:

• Check shut off valves on both hot and cold water sides to make sure it is easily accessible and easily turned off.
• Pour 4-5 gallons of water down the washer drain to make sure it drains properly and doesn’t leak.

Other plumbing fixtures:

• Turn water supply shut off valves on and off to test for ease of turning.
• Check first four digits of the water heater’s serial number (they are the month and year it was made). Make sure it isn’t more than 10 years old. Check to see when the water heater was last flushed (all manufacturers require annual flushing to keep the warranty provision on the tank in effect).
• Inspect the water meter; after all, water faucets, valves, etc. are turned off in the home. Once this has been assured, open the lid to the water meter and watch the gauge/dial for 10-15 minutes to see if there is any movement. If there is, the house may have a water leak.
• Check all exterior hose bibs to make sure they do not leak.
• Walk the exterior of the home and locate the sewer clean out, as this is a valuable piece of information a homeowner may want to know in case of a sewer stoppage, etc. Most are buried over time under planting areas – so be watchful.

About Mr. Rooter^® Plumbing of Houston :

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Houston, Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties is a locally owned and operated full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company. Founded in 2003 with over 45 employees, Mr. Rooter proudly offers plumbing services to the homes and businesses in Harris and Montgomery counties, as well as the greater Houston area. For more information on Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Houston, please visit Mr.Rooter.com or Follow Mr. Rooter on Twitter, or like Mr. Rooter on Facebook.