Searching for a property to purchase can be a time consuming process. Once you decide on a suburb, it becomes a matter of finding a property that meets all your needs. When buying a house in Ryde, a plumbing inspection can save a lot of heartache in the long run. If you’ve found the property of your dreams, there are five plumbing issues to spot before you make an offer.
1. Assess the age of taps and fixtures
Ryde is a suburb that comprises of a mix of renovated and older homes. It’s the ideal suburb to find a fixer-upper. If you do find a home with the intent to renovate, the age of the taps and fixtures won’t matter, but if you’re on a limited budget and have to live with the existing taps and fixtures, be sure to check they are all in working order.
- Turn the taps on and check for leaks.
- Turn the shower on and check the water drains easily and doesn’t pool.
- What’s the water pressure out of the shower rose like?
- Look for moisture or wet spots under the vanity and under the kitchen sink.
- Is the toilet a single or dual flush?
If the taps and fixtures look a little worse for wear, you may need to prepare for a plumber to come and give you a quote to update them. Often older taps and fixtures will use more water, so consider this when you make an offer on the property. You may need to call a plumber to upgrade the fixtures and taps for peace of mind and prevent a water bill shock.
2. Check age of hot water unit
One of the biggest and most hardworking appliances in the home is the hot water unit. It’s a good idea to check the location of the existing hot water unit and the date of manufacture which can be located on the outside of the unit.
Hot water units have a 10 to 15 year lifespan. If you’re considering buying a house in Ryde that has an older unit, be prepared to upgrade it.
3. Get a drain camera down the main sewer lines
If you notice the water takes a long time to drain away when testing the bathroom, this could be a sign of a bigger plumbing problem at the property that you can’t see.
If you make an offer on a property in Ryde, it is beneficial to have a drain inspection to check the state of the sewer line. There is a potential for blockages from tree roots. If the drain camera finds tree roots, you will need to carefully consider if you’re prepared to spend the thousands of dollars needed to repair the drain and remove the roots.
4. Is the existing plumbing up to code?
Make sure you inspect the outside of the home you wish to purchase in Ryde. Older homes may not have their plumbing up to code. While this is not necessary for the sale, it’s something to consider as a potential expense. Many homes pre 1990’s did not have an overflow relief gully, which is a grate located outside the house, connected to the sewer which acts as an overflow point should the street sewer back up. If your house doesn’t have a locatable ORG, you will need to get this installed if you make any plumbing changes or upgrades to your property.
5. What is the roof and guttering like?
Always look up when inspecting a property. Look at the state of the roof, gutters and down pipes. If the roof is corrugated iron, does it look rusty and could it require maintenance or a complete replacement? Look for rust spots and holes in gutters and downpipes. If they are a bit worn, you may need to spend money on getting these replaced, too.
The 5 plumbing issues to spot are important to inspect as they can potentially cause headaches and incur financial cost to rectify.
