If you’re about to put a down payment on your first home, you might be too excited to worry about the what-ifs. However, if you haven’t inspected your dream home’s plumbing system, you could be in for a rude awakening. Use the following checklist to ensure your first house is as wonderful as you wish and determine if it needs plumbing repairs.

3 Plumbing To-Dos Before Buying Your First Home

1. Check the Piping

First, ask the real estate agent to show you some of the piping throughout the house. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, swelling, or sagging. Find out when the pipes were installed, as some materials—such as galvanized pipes—must be replaced every 30 years. If you can, inspect the pipes in the basement and crawlspaces, as these are the most likely to burst in the winter, resulting in significant flooding. While you’re down there, look around the water heater for signs of rusting or leaks.

2. Flush the Toilets

Head to the bathrooms and test out the flushing mechanisms on the toilets. Pay close attention to the speed and strength of the flush—does it seem like the fixture would clog easily? Also, look for leaks around the base of the toilet and note whether the fixture ever stops running. Both of these issues indicate the need for repairs.

3. Turn on the Faucets

While you’re in the bathrooms, test out the showerheads, sinks, and tub faucets, then head to the kitchen to check the sink. This way, you can find out whether or not your dream house has desirable water pressure. If the flow is weak, there may be a clog, or you may need to replace some piping or install a water softening system.

If you run into any of these issues when assessing your new home, you don’t have to call it quits—just call Oehl Plumbing, Heating, Electric, & Air Conditioning of Coralville, IA, to take a second look. They will diagnose the issue and let you know what plumbing repairs might be required so that you can get a fair price for your next living space. They have over 70 years of experience in plumbing, electric, and HVAC services, so you can trust them to evaluate every aspect of your property. To learn more about their plumbing repair services, visit the website, or call (319) 339-9490 today.