The idea of doing a home inspection before selling your house may seem daunting, but it’s actually an important step that can help you boost negotiation power and fetch a better price for your home.
For instance, if there are minor plumbing issues that are easily fixed on your end, this may be a good time to remedy them ahead of a professional home and plumbing inspection. Here we’ll discuss how to prepare for a home plumbing inspection ahead of selling your home.
Check for Leaks
Leaks don’t always occur in the most convenient of places, but they can be found if you look hard enough. A slow drip from your bathroom faucet is an easy fix and typically can be repaired by replacing the washers inside the faucet. Other places in your home to inspect before scheduling a professional home plumbing inspection are…
It is important to find and repair any leaks before they go on your home inspection report. Failing to do so may put you at a disadvantage when selling your home in such a competitive market.
Check Your Water Heater
Regular water heater maintenance can really save you from having to replace your existing water heater before selling your home. And they aren’t inexpensive to replace. Check for corrosion, leaks, and other signs of trouble. It is also advised that you have your water heater flushed out once a year by a professional plumber to extend the lifespan of this vital part of any home. If you stay on top of these minor repairs, it can save you a boatload of money down the road.
Get Your Drains Cleaned and Sewer Line Cleared
If you want to ensure you won’t get hit with an unexpected price reduction in the listing price of your home, regular drain and sewer maintenance is a good habit to get into. Have your drains cleaned periodically and sewer lines and check for any obstructions. Tree roots, in particular, can cause blockages that are only found when an inspection is performed and will lead to expensive repairs. Have a professional plumber come out and do a video inspection of your drains and sewer line. If there is a problem they can locate it right away and fix it before your home inspector arrives.
Update Plumbing Fixtures
Simply switching our dated plumbing fixtures can make all the difference in the world. You’ll want to make sure that all of your plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, are in good working order before listing your home on the market. Depending on where you live, you may be required by the city to have water-saving fixtures installed. If you don’t, this may be a red flag for any home plumbing inspector. Conduct a full plumbing audit of all fixtures in your home prior to the inspection.
During a plumbing inspection, your professional inspector will check:
The home plumbing inspector will thoroughly inspect any place that water runs through the house, which would include toilets, tubs, washing machines, piping, showers, dishwashers, etc. They will check for any signs of leaks, water damage, water pressure, and the condition of your overall home plumbing system.
During this part of the plumbing inspection, they will check for corrosion, sediment buildup, the age of your water heater, if it was properly installed, pressure relief valves, and also see if regular maintenance has been conducted prior to inspection.
After moving through the inside of the home, they will naturally move to inspect the outside plumbing systems and sewer lines and look for leaks or any significant clogs. If you live in a region where the temperatures dive below freezing, they may check to see that you have proper insulation on your pipings.
Some home plumbing inspectors will bring a fiber optic camera to reach deep into your sewer line to check for branches, roots, or obstructions that were previously overlooked.
If you are thinking about selling your home and need to make plumbing repairs prior to listing your property, call Elmer’s to assist in repairs. It would be wise to fix minor plumbing problems ahead of your whole home plumbing inspection. At Elmer’s Air Conditioning and Plumbing, we provide high-quality emergency plumbing service and repairs in the San Antonio, TX, area. To request service, schedule online or call 210-570-1717 today.
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