Obviously, your safest course of action would be to hire seasoned professionals to inspect the home you are interested in buying. From our years of experience working as plumbers in Ramona, California, we can tell you that most people tend to neglect their home’s plumbing. This is probably because people are more interested in renovating areas of the home that are visible at first glance. Since a large majority of your home’s pipes aren’t at the forefront, they often get overlooked. This is why we definitely recommend that you carefully inspect the plumbing before buying a home.

1.   Check for leaks

Turn the water on and try to detect leaks and wet spots in the kitchen or bathroom. If you suspect a pipe leak, you should check for mildew or mold. Another good idea is to turn the water off in the home and see if the water meter is still running.



2.   See how the toilet is flushing

Go to the bathroom and flush the toilet to see if it’s flushing correctly and if the water is constantly running after you flush. Most old toilets aren’t very economical in terms of water usage, and you might also want to install a new toilet since the water rates in California are pretty high.

3.   Does the water heater need replacing?

Due to the water quality in San Diego and the surrounding areas, water heaters rarely last more than eight years. If the old water heater is nearing that age, installing a new water heater when moving into a new home would be a good idea.

When is the best time to inspect the plumbing?

We generally recommend inspecting your home's plumbing at least once a year. Other times when you should inspect the plumbing include before doing any major remodeling or renovations, as well as before moving to a new home. Plumbing suffers the most during the winter months due to the large amount of rainfall and the colder weather. If you are buying a home and moving during the winter, you'll realize that relocation outside the peak season has perks and that winter is the perfect time to inspect the plumbing. Follow the tips we outlined and check the foundation for cracks or leaks.

We've outlined some of the most obvious things you should look for and explained how to inspect the plumbing before buying a home. However, if you run into any issues or think you are in over your head – you can always call Rooter-man Plumbers to the rescue!