Our Benjamin Franklin Plumbing team always strives to provide the best service to our customers. That includes educating them on plumbing topics that may not be talked about enough! We are here to help 24/7, for real!

Buying a new home is an exciting milestone but also a huge financial decision. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s essential to have the home inspected for any potential problems. This includes a plumbing inspection to make sure everything is in working order. As a first-time homebuyer, you may not know what questions to ask about plumbing inspections. Here are some of the most important questions you should ask before making an offer.

Save these questions for when you need them:

Is the plumbing system raising any red flags?

If you’re unfamiliar with plumbing systems and have no idea what to look for, the best thing to do is to trust the professionals and ask for insight. Get a peek into the situation you may have to deal with for years to come by asking if your prospective home’s plumbing system raises any red flags. Your plumber will generally conduct a series of tests on the home’s plumbing system, and this will give you an indication of how much plumbing maintenance and repairs are needed.

What is the condition of the main sewer?

Main sewer drains are central to a home’s plumbing system. Most of your home’s plumbing problems can be traced back to the main sewer because it connects the city sewer to your home’s plumbing system. If the previous owners didn’t maintain the house’s main sewer, the sewer could be clogged, and you would only find out about it after you’ve signed the mortgage. Clogged sewers can be expensive to fix if the problem has been left unsolved for an extended period.

Does the water heater need to be replaced?

If you are buying an older home, inspecting the water heater is essential before you make an offer to purchase. Water heaters generally last for ten years, but poor maintenance can make the water heater ineffective way before this. This can result in poor water quality, high energy bills, and unplanned cold showers. A leaking water heater can wreak havoc on your new home’s hardwood floors and can damage walls and wiring. These repairs are unnecessary and avoidable expenses. During the plumbing inspection, you should ask your plumber about the condition of the home’s water heater. If it is old or badly placed, the seller can make the necessary changes to ensure that the water heater doesn’t add to your list of expenses.

How are the pipes looking?

The condition of the pipes in a house can remain a mystery until clogging or damage occurs. Pipe corrosion can spread through your new home’s plumbing system simply through daily use. Every time you open a tap, the oxygen in the water damages your home’s pipes resulting in rust over time. The rust creates build up and this leads to clogging and serious systemic problems that could see your entire home’s plumbing system redone. A thorough inspection by a professional is an easy way to prevent the worst from happening. The plumbing inspector will be able to spot the first signs of pipe corrosion and can also provide plumbing maintenance insight to ensure that your new home’s plumbing system lasts.

Does the home have a water softener?

If you live somewhere with a high mineral content in the water, you may want to check if your future home has a water softener. These filters can help to remove minerals and other hard water materials from water before it enters your home. This can help prevent hard water stains on your fixtures and increase the lifespan of your clothes and dishes.

If having soft water is important to you, make sure the home has a water softener and check when it was last replaced. These systems can last about fifteen years before they’ll need replacing.

What are the estimated repair costs?

If the inspection indicates that repairs are needed to your new home’s plumbing system, it is best to ask your plumber to provide a detailed quote. Doing so will help you decide whether a new property is for you and your budget. It will prevent unwanted surprises and allow for an informed purchase.

Hire a trusted Wichita plumber, like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, for plumbing repairs

If you need any plumbing repairs after your plumbing inspection, call us! (316) 768-8374 We’re experienced local plumbers backed by industry-leading guarantees.

Our plumbers are dressed in a smart uniform, turn up on time – every time – and have many years of experience, so you can be assured that they really DO know what they are doing. What might seem a horrendous problem to you is something that they have dealt with dozens, if not hundreds, of times before.

So, when you have a plumbing problem, make certain that you contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Punctual Plumber.