Buying a home can be a whirlwind of activity, and it’s easy to focus only on things like getting a mortgage and figuring out how to move all of your belongings. However, it’s important to avoid the temptation to skip other key steps, such as getting inspections for the house’s key infrastructure elements. Plumbing inspections, for example, can save you from walking into unexpected, expensive projects and repair bills.
Plumbing inspections can quickly uncover problems that could make your move-in day less than stellar. Leaky pipes are just the start of what can be found. An inspector will also look for signs that the plumbing is worn out, check the water heater and water pressure, make sure that the sinks haven’t started to collapse into their countertops, and make sure that the drains are draining well.
Problems with some of these plumbing components can be expensive to fix, and knowing about them in advance gives you the chance to negotiate with this in mind. Water heaters, for example, can cost over $1,000 installed. Depending on the decor, replacing a sink with a failed foundation can also be expensive.
Other issues can become expensive due to the damage caused by leaked water. In fact, if leaky pipes are found, the areas around them should be examined to be sure that rot has not already set in. Meanwhile, problems like low water pressure are often annoying rather than directly damaging. However, fixing them will still involve an extra investment.
If the inspection reveals problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t buy the house. It is common to need to fix things in older homes, even if someone has recently been living there. However, you can use any major findings in your negotiations, and can often get the price lowered to make up for the expected repair bills.
An inspection can also reveal what everyone is hoping will be the case: No problems. Then, you have the peace of mind of knowing that you won’t wake up to cold water, unwanted indoor ponds, or other bad surprises.
To get a plumbing inspection in and around Gainesville, FL, contact us here at J.W. Freeman Plumbing. We’ll be glad to let you know what’s going on in the house you’re thinking of buying.
