John the Plumber Barrhaven here – buying a new home can be a little daunting, and we thought we would give you a little summary of what to look for and what questions to ask the realtor or home inspector when you are interested in buying a home. These will be relevant to plumbing, of course; after all, it’s what the plumbers here at John the Plumber Barrhaven knows best!
All houses are different, be it a townhome or single family home. This article is generally geared towards freehold properties, as you the homeowner will be most concerned with what will come out of pocket. Having a certified and experienced plumber do a look through all your plumbing is a fantastic idea; if you know that the house has cast iron running outside the property a camera inspection to see the state of it is a must.
Repair and remediation to this are in the thousands and it is best to know what you are getting in to. A visual inspection of leaks if a must; make sure you open all the cabinets under the sinks and run water to look for leaks. Flush the toilets and see how they drain, any leaks at the base, and if there is any strange noises coming from the pipes. Same thing with the bathtubs and showers. Look above for any water stains in the ceiling and especially in the basement. Check the outside perimeter of the home as well – the slope and drainage are important.
Some houses come with water softeners, sump pumps, well pump, sewage pumps and water filtration systems – all of these can be very expensive to maintain or replace so knowing how old they are and in what state they are in is also important. If you take on a home that does, learning how to operate and maintain these will also save you time, money and headaches in the long run.
Check on the state of the water heater and the main water meter as well. Check the water lines running through the house as well, if possible, or ask if you cannot see them. Many homes in Barrhaven have Poly B and this has it’s own set of issues. Ask as many questions as you like – home-ownership is a big deal!
Finally, check your insurance to make sure you are covered in case of flooding.
John The PLumber Barrhaven, discover more on the full range of services offered by our Barrhaven-based John the Plumber, please call our offices today at 613-454-5585 or visit our business website at johntheplumber.ca/barrhaven
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