Jul5

By Dave Bangar

Six Plumbing Questions To Ask Before Buying a Home in Kelowna

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Everything You Need to Find Out About Your Future Home’s Plumbing System

Kelowna is a beautiful city in the heart of the Okanagan with panoramic mountain and water views. With a lower cost of living and more affordable housing compared to cities like Vancouver, Kelowna has become an incredibly desirable place to live and buy a home. However, when buying your first home in Kelowna, there are questions you need to ask about your home’s plumbing system before closing and taking ownership.

In this article, we’ll go over the top four things you need to know about your new home’s plumbing system along with the questions you should be asking the seller.

Plumbing Issues to Look For When Buying a New Home

When buying a home, you should always have a home inspection completed. However, before you even get to this stage, it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge and be able to look out for certain issues when you begin viewing houses to avoid costly repairs down the road. Below, we have listed some of the most important things you should be looking out for when it comes to a home’s plumbing system.

Leaks 

Look for any visible signs of leaks around faucets, toilets, and under sinks. Some signs that there may be a leak include water stains, excess condensation, mould, and a musty smell.

Water Pressure

Turn on all of the taps and showerheads to check how strong the water pressure is. Low water pressure could be a sign that there is an underlying plumbing issue such as a clog or faulty fixture.

Drainage

When you check the taps and showers, also look at how quickly the water is draining. If the water is slow to drain or doesn’t drain at all, this could be a sign of a clogged pipe.

Sewer System 

During your home inspection, ask if the inspector is able to look at the sewer system in order to identify any potential issues in the main sewer line, such as tree roots, clogs, or damage to the pipes.

Top Plumbing Questions To Ask When Looking at Houses

Along with doing a basic inspection of the home and its plumbing system, prepare a list of questions to present to the seller regarding the plumbing. Not sure where to start? Here is a list of the top plumbing questions you should be asking a home seller.

How Old is the Water Heater?

Ask about the age and condition of the water heater. Most conventional water heaters have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. So, if the water heater is approaching this age, you will likely need to replace it in the near future.

What Material Are the Pipes?

Always ask what types of pipes were used in the plumbing system. Older homes may have galvanized steel, lead, or kitec pipes, which can be prone to corrosion and lead to numerous issues. 

Is There a Sump Pump?

If the house has a basement or is located in an area prone to flooding, ask the seller if there is a sump pump. If there is one, ask about the maintenance history and how old it is.

Are There Any Ongoing Plumbing Issues?

Ask the seller if they are aware of any existing plumbing issues that need attention. It’s better to know about any potential problems beforehand so you can budget for any potential repairs. 

How Old is the Plumbing System?

If you’re looking at older houses, it’s important to find out how old the plumbing system is and whether it has been replaced. This will give you an idea of the condition of the home’s plumbing and whether repairs may be inevitable.

What is the Water Supply to the Home?

Be sure to find out whether the home is connected to a municipal water supply or has its own well. Well water systems tend to be higher maintenance as you are responsible for maintaining the well and monitoring the water quality through regular testing, so this is important information to have.

Contact My Plumber Kelowna For Any Plumbing Issues in Your New Home

If you have recently purchased a home in Kelowna and have started experiencing plumbing issues, contact our team of Kelowna-based plumbers today.
At My Plumber Kelowna, we have a team of licensed, trained, and highly experienced plumbers who can help resolve any plumbing issues you may be experiencing.
Call us today at 250-601-0000 or fill out a form on our website and we will be in touch ASAP.