Before selling a home, test the plumbing

WACO, Texas – May 8, 2007 –With today’s housing market in a slump, a homeowner should test the home’s plumbing to make sure the plumbing will pass the home inspection that comes with selling the house.

“Most home buyers hire a professional home inspector to take a closer look at the house before they close,” says Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of the Mr. Rooter Corporation. “Taking care of any necessary repairs now could expedite the closing process.”

Thompson offers these tips to keep a plumbing problem from throwing a wrench in the home-selling experience:

• Examine all faucets to make sure none drip.

• Open cabinet doors and check under sinks for leaks.

• Turn water supply valves on and off to test for leaks.

• Look for rust and corrosion on all plumbing features (sinks, pipes, etc.).

• Flush the toilet. Does it continue running after the tank is full? Is all debris cleared from the bowl?

• Inspect the base of the toilet for signs of water damage or soft floors.

• Run the garbage disposal and dishwasher to make sure they work properly.

• Check the first four digits of the water heater’s serial number (they are the month and year it was made) to make sure it isn’t more than 10 years old.

• Fill up each sink and bathtub with water to verify good drain flow.

• Inspect the water meter and observe a small dial which spins when any amount of water moves through the system. This will detect even small amounts of water loss.

• If your home has a basement, look up at the ceiling above the bathroom to examine floor boards for plumbing leaks.

• Hire a professional plumber to video inspect the sewer line to verify it is in good condition.

© 2007 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

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