Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, moving into your new home is always an exciting—and nerve-wracking—experience. Rightfully so, as this is a huge investment; it’s your time and money, going towards a house that will soon become your home. And let’s not forgot, moving means packing your entire life into boxes, meeting new neighbours, finding your new favourite café, and searching for your go-to emergency plumber – being a little stressed is understandable.
The last thing you should have to focus on when preparing to move is the state of the plumbing in the house. It’s important to always do a thorough inspection to make sure everything is working as it should. This will allow you to make an informed decision: do you want to stay in a fixer-upper, ask the previous owner or your landlord to fix plumbing issues before committing, or simply to look for another property instead?
Our experts at We Love Plumbing compiled a list of plumbing inspections you should do before moving into your new house.
Water Damage
Look for signs of water damage, such as mold, musty smells, crumbling paint, and dark spots on ceilings and walls. If you do notice any signs of damage, ask the owner/realtor/ landlord to identify the source, because it may be related to plumbing issues that you would want taken care of, or a bigger issue such as a leaky roof.
Tip: If you’re renting the place, make sure to find these pre-existing damages and take pictures and videos as evidence for what the property looked like before you moved in, to ensure that you receive your security deposit back once you move out.
Plumbing Leaks
- Check for plumbing leaks and dripping faucets. Inspect all of the sinks in the house, looking at the faucet itself, and under the sink bowl. Make sure to inspect it while it’s turned off and when turned on.
- Inspect the drainage by turning the water on for a few minutes to see if the drain backs up or if there are any leaks under the sink bowl.
- Turn both the bath and shower faucets and make sure the tub faucet doesn’t drip while the shower is on.
Tip: One way to check for water leaks in your future property is to find the water meter and mark the reading a few hours apart. You have to be sure that no water is being used between those hours, and determine if the two readings differ. If they do, then it’s a sure sign that there is a leaking problem that needs to be fixed.
Toilets
Flush all the toilets and watch to see if they’re flushing and refilling quickly with no clogging. Sit on the toilet to see if it’s fastened to the floor securely. If you think the toilet is wobbling, it could mean a future leak down the road.
Water Heater
This is one check you do not want to miss during your inspection. The two major things to look for are the age of the water heater and the presence of corrosion. If the tank is corroding, it’s time for a new water heater. If the water heater is older than 10 years, it may be time for a new water heater. While considering the state of the current water heater, consider if the heater’s size will meet your family’s hot water needs as well.
Locate the Main Water Valve
It’s important to know where your main water valve is in case you ever need to cut off the water supply. Once you’ve located it, turn it off and see if it’s working as it should by turning on your faucets and seeing if there’s any running water. Ask to have it replaced if so.
Hire a Plumber to Perform a Plumbing Inspection
Having a trusted plumber inspect your future property is ideal as they’re more likely to find seemingly minor plumbing issues that could cause major damage to your home —and wallet— in the future. Hiring a plumber for your inspection will give you peace of mind that your new home is in great shape for the foreseeable future, rather than moving in and risking dealing with a plumbing emergency. At We Love Plumbing, we offer a monthly subscription service to keep your plumbing maintained so that you have time to enjoy your new home.
Moving Day Tip
Once you’ve decided on your new home and have signed the papers, do a quick walkthrough of your home before your furniture and boxes arrive to make sure that all requested and agreed-upon repairs have been completed. This will allow you the time needed to contact your realtor or landlord if you see any issues that go against the agreed-upon contract. If you’re in the market looking for a great moving company, consider our sister company Two Small Men With Big Hearts to have your furniture moved to your new home.
Do remember that no house is perfect, and there will always be something to fix – it’s up to you to decide what is most important to start with. Our plumbers at We Love Plumbing are available 24/7 for any plumbing needs in the Winnipeg area. Give us a call at 204-654-6106 if you’re looking to move into a new place and want expert advice on the current plumbing situation.