What You Need to Know About Plumbing Before Buying a Home
You might have moved to Orange County as a family of three, but now you’re about to be a family of five, and your current home feels a little… cramped. You’re searching for the perfect upgrade: more bedrooms, a backyard the kids can run around in, and something close enough to work so the commute doesn’t eat into bedtime.
But before you fall in love with bay windows and built-ins, don’t forget to look behind the walls because hidden plumbing problems can turn your dream home into a costly mess.
Before that for-sale sign leaves the yard of your new home, ask these important plumbing questions.
7 Home Buyer Questions to Ask About Plumbing
1. Has the Sewer Line Been Replaced or Upgraded?
If your potential new home is older or has trees on or near the property, the sewer line might need some TLC. Sewer lines are vulnerable to tree root invasions that cause blockages or collapses. Either way, it’s something that you’d rather not deal with when you’ve got toddlers underfoot and another on the way.
Older materials are more likely to leave you with sewer lines that are damaged, collapsed, or just plain fragile. Always ask the current homeowner when it was last replaced or cleaned.
2. Have the Exterior Water Lines Been Replaced?
Your water lines should be sturdy, not harmful. At any mention of lead or decades-old galvanized water pipes, you know there may need to be a pipe replacement before you turn the house into a home.
If it’s been a few decades since any piping upgrades, you can expect possible leaks, bursts, and a whole lot of headaches.
3. Have the Interior Water Lines Been Replaced?
These water lines supply water for your morning coffee, your kids’ bubble baths, and that emergency glass of water at 2 a.m. To put it simply, they’re pretty dang important.
If there’s any lead in your water supply, it needs to be replaced ASAP. If they have been updated to copper or plastic, it’s still important for your plumber to check for weak spots or sneaky leaks.
4. Does the Home Have Any Water Treatment Systems?
Orange County water doesn’t play nice with your plumbing. While it won’t harm your health, it will leave crusty buildup on your faucets, stain your dishes, and wear down your appliances.
If a water treatment system is in place, you’ve got a head start! Not only does it mean there’s less strain on the plumbing system, but you won’t have to worry about cloudy dishes or crusty buildup around your faucets.
5. Does the Home Have an Automatic Water Shut-Off?
This device is like a babysitter for your pipes. Having an automatic water shut-off in your home is the best way to know if you’ve got any leaks and your home’s water usage patterns, and it gives you the peace of mind that your water will be shut off right away in the event of a leak or burst pipe, even if you and your family are away!
It’s one of the smartest, simplest upgrades a homeowner can make.
6. How Old Is the Water Heater?
Tank-style water heaters usually last about 10 years; tankless models can go up to 20. But if there’s no water treatment system, the lifespan shortens significantly.
Ask for service records. And if it’s near retirement, plan to replace it—because nobody wants to deal with a broken water heater during bath time.
7. Has the Home Ever Flooded?
If the home or crawl space has ever been flooded with water, you need answers. Ask about any remediation inspection history and whether any mold remediation or structural repairs were done.
Barker and Sons Is Your Plumbing Partner
Your new home should be a haven, not a headache. A mother knows that peace of mind starts with good plumbing.
Our comprehensive plumbing inspections guarantee that no pipe, joint, faucet, or fixture will go unchecked. We’ll find what’s working, flag what’s not, and give you the information you need to buy with confidence.
Before you say yes to the address, say yes to a plumbing checkup. Call us today to schedule your plumbing inspection because your kids deserve a bubble bath, not a busted pipe.
