Before putting in an offer on a new home, of course you’ll want to make sure that you like its design and that it meets your functionality needs. However, something else that must be considered (that is unfortunately often overlooked) is the home’s plumbing system. Let’s face it, you don’t want to find out that you need major plumbing repairs after your offer has been accepted, do you? We think not! That said, before you agree to anything, make sure you ask the seller these questions first:
- How old is the plumbing?
If the home was built years ago, find out if any work has been done to the plumbing since the first system was put in. Should the original pipes still be in use, you may be more likely to need repairs or replacement than if they were updated recently. - Have any pipes burst in the past?
When pipes burst, there’s a good chance that the home experiences some type of water damage – something you’ll definitely want to know about if it happened already. Additionally, if they have burst, it’s important to make sure that the proper actions (such as insulting them) have been taken to prevent this from happening again. - Has a sump pump been installed?
Sump pumps are extremely important to have because they work to prevent spaces such as your basement from flooding. Even if flooding isn’t a major concern in the area, you want to make sure the home is fully equipped with the necessary tools so that you don’t become responsible for cleaning up the mess in the event of an emergency. - What type of water heater does the home have?
There are tons of water heater options out there, so ask what kind the home is currently using. Since older water heaters could have lost some of their functionality and efficiency, you may have to deal with higher operating costs if the system hasn’t been replaced recently. - When was the last sewer inspection completed?
Backed up sewers can be extremely inconvenient, which makes it important to know when the sewer lines were last inspected for signs of trouble. A camera inspection, such as the ones we are available to perform, can help diagnose a potential problem quickly so that you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Are you thinking about buying a new home in the near future? To rest assured knowing that you won’t have to worry about the plumbing as you get settled in, make sure you have these questions on hand during any conversation you have with the seller. But of course, if you do buy a home in the Orange County area and experience an unexpected problem down the line, you can always call Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter for help.
For more information about the services we offer to our local customers, please give us a call at 714.630.8766 today.
