Questions for the seller
- Age of the water heater and whether it is rented
- Any history of basement flooding or sewer backups
- Pipe materials and any replacements
- Permits for basement finishing or bathrooms
What to look at
- Supply pipes at the water heater for Poly-B or galvanized pipe.
- The main shut-off valve and whether it works.
- Signs of water damage in the basement.
- Sump pit and pump condition.
Worth paying for
A sewer camera inspection on homes over thirty years old, or with large trees near the front.
After you buy
Find the main shut-off, test the sump and book any repairs before you move furniture in.
During the showing
Run the kitchen tap and flush an upstairs toilet at the same time and watch whether the flow drops sharply. Look under every sink with a flashlight for stains or warped cabinet floors. Open the furnace room and read the date on the heater label. Check the basement ceiling below bathrooms for patched drywall, which may point to old leaks. None of this replaces an inspection, but it helps you decide which houses are worth one.
Rather hand it over? Our plumbers handle emergency plumber and hydro jetting along with everything else on our residential plumbing list.