This diagram will help you become familiar with a home’s plumbing system, so you’ll know what to look for during a home inspection and what to ask your home inspector. As many as 44 percent of consumers call a plumber within one year of purchasing a new home. Many homes may have an attractive façade and price, but bear problems that can prove to be costly. Problems that lie beneath the surface of a home, such as faulty plumbing or water leakage, often do not become evident until after the house is bought. To help avoid such unexpected and costly problems, the expert plumbers at Roto-Rooter offer Toronto a homebuyers these tips. Not comfortable performing a plumbing inspection of a home before you buy it? Call Roto-Rooter at 1-800-GET-ROTO.

Not covered in a standard home inspection, Roto-Rooter can camera your main drain to ensure no problems are present.

Check around the base of toilets for signs of water damage or soft floors (check for soft floors by standing over the toilet and rocking back and forth on each foot. If the floor feels spongy, it has probably been damaged). Ensure toilet flushes properly and that the internal parts are not defective. A worn flapper can result in hundreds of dollars of wasted water.

Make sure faucets and drains are not leaking. A leaky faucet will increase water and sewer bills. In addition, a leaky drain can create damages and result in costly repair bills. Check for leaky or loose tiles. Press on the walls where they come into contact with the tub. If they’re soft, water has most likely caused damage behind the tiles.

Turn on the water in the bath and kitchen sinks. A reduction in pressure or volume may be easily fixed by removing and cleaning the aerator on the faucet spouts. Water pressure in your home above 60 pounds per square inch can be harmful to your plumbing system and will cause excessive water usage. Contact your local water authority to find out what the water pressure is on your street. If it exceeds 60 pounds, consider installing a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure in your home. Check washing machine hoses for rupture and turn valves on/off to test for leaks.

Check the date of the water heater (the first four digits of the serial number are usually the month and year it was made). Any heater over 15 years old should be replaced. If the water heater vent ties into the chimney, verify that the chimney is lined. To check, look to see if a metal liner sticks out of the top of the chimney. If there is not a basement in the house, make sure the water heater vent is a “class b chimney” or at least six inches away from wood.

If your water tastes or smells foul, have your water tested. Ask for recommendations, such as adding a water softener, iron filter, or reverse osmosis water filtration system. Less deposits on your fixtures, dishes and clothes makes cleaning an easy task. Find the location of the main water shut off valve and ensure it works. If a pipe breaks or the water heater bursts, You’ll want to be able to shut off the water fast. If there is a noticeable reduction in volume, the pipes may need to be replaced because of calcium and mineral deposits.