If you’re in the process of house hunting, one thing that may not be at the forefront of your mind as you go around looking at homes is plumbing… and we understand. There’s a lot of excitement in the air. You’re thinking about the neighborhood, the layout of the house, what color you want to repaint the walls, and more. Then, you put an offer on the house of your dreams – it’s a lot to take in.
However, after the excitement of finding your new home comes a little anxiety in the form of the home inspection. What you need to know during this phase is that an inspection won’t catch everything. There will almost always be a need to investigate a bit further into all of those aspects that aren’t immediately eye-catching, like plumbing. That’s right. Many home inspections overlook internal systems and piping. In fact, most home inspectors don’t even hold the proper credentials to do so. They only see what’s on the surface.
That’s why you must be diligent in gathering all of the information and go into your negotiations prepared. Don’t hesitate to call upon the services of an expert, and keep the following in mind when you start the home inspection process:
- Go Beyond the Surface – As previously mentioned, most home inspectors don’t hold the necessary credentials to check beyond face value. At most, they will look for obvious signs of pipe and water damage on the walls or ceiling, under sinks and connecting to toilets. Here, they’re looking for markings like mold, mildew and water stains. They will not, however, be able to investigate the cause of such findings, nor will they inspect the general soundness of your pipes within the walls.
- Hire a Professional to Investigate Septic Tanks – Too often, the inspection of septic systems is entirely overlooked. That is why you need to hire a plumber to come out and look into your tanks. Only a professional will be able to test your drainage systems to determine whether or not there are any issues. Much the same, a plumber is needed to inspect sewers, as that process requires very specific technologies and cameras to be pushed through the lines in order to assess sewer conditions. A general home inspector simply doesn’t have these capabilities.
- Investigate the Home’s Drainage Systems – When most homes are first built, they are designed with graded surfaces so that water can run off and drain properly. Without this, water can settle and cause extensive damage to a home and its very foundation which can wind up costing you, the new home buyer, a fortune. Have a plumber come out and give the OK before you settle into your new home.
When looking for your dream home and entering into the home inspection process, being aware of these basic plumbing considerations will make all of the difference in your home buying experience. Never take anything at face value, and don’t hesitate to call in our experts at Tritan Plumbing. Our team of experienced professionals will make sure that your next home is safe and hassle-free for you and your loved ones.
