A Plumbing Checklist for First Time Home Buyers

Buying a home can be an expensive, challenging and sometimes stressful experience. However, buying your own home comes with many benefits as well. You have finally made it in life and have put some money aside to make a valuable investment. Purchasing a home is indeed a big and valuable investment that many people dream of making. If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to buy a home for you and your family, then you surely want everything to look and function great in your home. The last thing you want is some unexpected plumbing problem that will trouble you and make your moving in stressful.

Important thing to do before signing and concluding the deal for buying a home is to perform a home inspection. In order to save valuable time and energy, having a plumbing checklist is a must for first time home buyers. It is vital to be very thorough when going over the list, because by inspecting the home you can detect and uncover some plumbing problems you never thought existed. That can be a deal-breaker whether to buy or not to buy the home. Here is the checklist you should use to ensure that there are no problematic plumbing issues in your potential new residence.

Things to Inspect Before Purchasing a Home

  • Check out to see whether there is water dripping from faucets, sinks, showers or bathtubs. If water is dripping then that is usually a good sign that there is a leak somewhere in the pipes. Most common plumbing problems appear below the sink. If you see that there is a leak or you suspect something isn’t quite right, it’s advisable you call professional Calgary plumbers to fix those plumbing problems that need fixing.
  • Inspect all sinks, showers, bathtubs, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and toilets for possible signs of cracked flooring which can lead to floods. Check closely to see whether there are water stains, water drops, or any other sign of possible leaks.
  • Inspect the bathroom shower closely. Turn it on to check out the water pressure and ensure that everything works correctly. Inspect the temperature function as well to see whether the water heater works properly.
  • Check the water heater to see if it works and look for signs of rust. Also don’t forget to check the date of the water heater. If the water heater is over ten years old and if there is rust somewhere, then it’s probably a good time to get it replaced.
  • Flush the toilets and check them closely to ensure they’re working correctly. Check out the water pressure as well. When you flush the toilet, the water should fill in quickly and without problems. Besides this, don’t forget to check out the water supply and the flush valves too.
  • Inspect the rooms that are directly below the bathrooms and toilets on the upper floor. Check the walls and ceilings to see whether there’s any water stains or unpleasant musty odor.
  • If there’s a sump pump or a basement drain in the home you’re about to purchase, check out whether they function as they’re supposed to.
  • Finally, check whether the sewage goes into a septic tank or into a sewer system. Ask the seller for more information about this and whether there were any prior problems.

Simple Maintenance Advices to Follow After Buying the Home

  • Regularly inspect the hoses from your washing machine and the dishwasher, because these can be vulnerable to damage and leaks. If you see that hoses are outdated or there’s wear and tear, then make sure you replace them with new ones as soon as possible.
  • Keep your garbage disposal clean and in optimal working condition by letting it run every day for a minute or two. Garbage disposals are prone to corrosion if they’re not used regularly, so avoid that problem by turning it on every day.
  • Perform regular inspection of your water heater and check whether there are some unusual gurgling sounds. If you hear something like that, than that is usually a sign that there is a build-up of sediment inside the water tank. You can call professionals to check out the problem, and if can’t be fixed then you will need to buy a new water heater for your home.

This is a very simple, helpful and easy checklist to follow. Make sure you follow it step by step, because that way you will prevent numerous plumbing problems from making more damage. Buying a home should be a pleasant and joyful experience, so it’s in your best interest to inspect closely whether everything is working perfectly before moving in inside your new home.

Posted by Maja Markovski

Maja Markovski is an architect and the founder of ArchitectureArtDesigns.com, a leading platform dedicated to inspiring creativity and innovation in architecture and design. Through insightful, well-researched content, Maja aims to foster a deeper understanding of how architecture and design shape the world, offering both practical advice and thought-provoking artistic perspectives for professionals, students, and design enthusiasts.