If you’re looking to buy a home in Frederick County this summer, you have a lot of beautiful options to choose from. Just keep in mind that an impeccable exterior and the perfect square footage doesn’t always mean you’ve found the right house. The home’s plumbing system is hidden behind walls and often overlooked until it’s too late for an excited buyer, so you should always remember to inspect the plumbing for red flags during your showing.
Here are a few things that should always be checked when looking at homes. Some of them you can look for yourself, but some areas are better left to an expert at Putman Plumbing:
Kitchen Plumbing
- Are there any loose connections in the dishwasher? If so, you could be looking at a huge amount of damage to not only the kitchen but also surrounding rooms and even the basement. Turn on the dishwasher and make sure you don’t see any water dripping.
- How’s the water pressure when you turn on the faucet? If it’s slow, there may be calcium and mineral deposits built up in the pipes.
- Are there any signs of water damage inside cabinets? This indicates loose or busted pipes that need to be repaired.
Bathroom Plumbing
- When you flush the toilets, do they keep running, and do they require more than one flush? If you notice anything strange, you could be replacing all the guts in no time.
- Are there stains around the base of the toilet? This could mean a major leak that can damage floor boards. Check for a “soft floor” by straddling each toilet and rocking back and forth to see if the floor feels spongy, which indicates rotting.
- How do the bathtubs and showers look? If you see any mold buildup, you may be looking at big issues.
Basement Moisture
- Do you see any rust on the hot water tank? Examine it check the date. If it’s over 15 years it’s almost time to replace it, so you’ll need to add that into your budget.
- Are there any signs of leaking from exposed pipes? Ask for a full history of repairs.
- Does the sump pump work? Test it!
Standing Water in the Yard
- Do you see large puddles around the house or out in the yard? This may indicate an irrigation problem or faulty sewer pipes, which could add up to a lot of extra expenses.
Plumbing in an Old Home
Old Frederick County houses have amazing character, but you should know that older homes may require a lot of plumbing maintenance. Pipes made from iron, steel, clay or copper deteriorate over time, so be prepared to upgrade the entire plumbing system to modern plastic pipes.
Hire Putman Plumbing to do a Plumbing Inspection
Even if you check all the things we mentioned above, there are problems that can only be detected by a trained plumbing technician. We can do a video inspection of underground sewer pipes, check your meter, outside hose bibs and gutters, and can detect signs of leakage in crawl spaces and basements that you may not catch. We’ve helped ensure lots of Frederick County home buyers that they were making the right, or sometimes wrong, purchasing decision. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help you find the home of your dreams!
