Most buyers know to arrange a building and pest inspection before purchasing a home. But some of the property’s most expensive problems may be inside pipes, below ground or connected to essential services that deserve a closer look.
We recently completed a comprehensive pre-purchase plumbing inspection for clients considering a property. The inspection included CCTV camera inspections of the sewer and stormwater drainage, along with an assessment of the plumbing fixtures, downpipes, gas service and hot water system.
We found a number of issues across the property. Rather than simply handing the clients a list, we walked through the findings with them on site, explained what we had seen and helped them understand what those issues could mean if they decided to buy.
We do not know whether they will proceed with the purchase. That decision belongs to them. The important part is that they can now make it with considerably more information than they had before the inspection.
The plumbing you can see is only part of the property
A home can present well during an open inspection while still having plumbing or drainage problems that are difficult to detect from the surface. Water may run from the taps and the toilets may flush, but that does not tell you the condition of the sewer line below the property or how well the stormwater system will perform during heavy rain.
It also does not tell you whether the hot water system is approaching the end of its useful life, whether visible fixtures show signs of leakage or poor drainage, or whether parts of the gas service warrant further attention.
This is why a dedicated plumbing inspection can be valuable. It examines the property through the eyes of an experienced plumber and gas fitter, with equipment suited to investigating areas that cannot be assessed properly from a quick visual walk-through.
What did this pre-purchase inspection cover?
The scope of an inspection depends on the property and the services present. For this home, we examined the following areas.
CCTV sewer inspection
A drain camera allows us to inspect accessible sections of the sewer line from inside the pipe. Depending on access and conditions, this can help identify concerns such as damage, obstructions, root intrusion, displaced joints or sections that may require further investigation.
These are not the kinds of problems a buyer can reliably assess by looking around the house. A drain may appear to be working during a short inspection while an underlying issue is already developing.
CCTV stormwater inspection
Stormwater drainage has an important job in moving rainwater away from the home and surrounding areas. We used CCTV equipment to inspect accessible stormwater lines and build a clearer picture of their condition.
This matters in South East Queensland, where a drainage problem may become most obvious during sustained or heavy rain, not necessarily on the day a buyer visits the property.
Plumbing fixtures
We carried out a general inspection of the property’s plumbing fixtures. This can include checking visible components around taps, toilets, sinks, showers and other connected fixtures for signs of leakage, wear, poor operation or drainage concerns.
Downpipes and visible drainage
Downpipes form part of the path that carries roof water into the stormwater system. Visible condition, connections and signs of drainage trouble can all provide useful information about how water is being managed around the property.
Gas service
Where a property has gas, the service deserves attention from a suitably qualified gas fitter. The inspection provides an opportunity to identify visible concerns and advise where testing, servicing or rectification may be required.
Hot water system
The hot water system is another major household asset buyers can easily overlook. We considered the system’s visible condition, installation and operation so the clients had a better understanding of what they would be taking on.
The real value is better information before committing
Finding problems does not automatically mean a property is a bad purchase. Every home has maintenance requirements, and many plumbing issues can be repaired.
The real problem is entering a purchase without knowing those issues exist.
Once buyers understand the condition of the plumbing, drainage, gas and hot water services, they can make a more informed decision. Depending on their circumstances and the terms of the transaction, the findings may help them:
- better understand the likely repair or maintenance work;
- seek specialist advice or quotations;
- discuss the findings with their solicitor or conveyancer;
- factor future work into their budget; or
- decide whether the property is still right for them.
In this case, walking through the issues on site gave the clients the chance to see what we were referring to and ask questions while the details were in front of them. A written report is useful, but a clear explanation helps buyers understand the difference between an observation, a maintenance item and a concern that may require more urgent attention.
A small step before a very large decision
A property purchase is one of the largest financial decisions most people make. A pre-purchase plumbing inspection cannot predict every future problem, but it can provide information about important systems that are easy to overlook and expensive to discover after settlement.
If you are considering a home in Brisbane or Moreton Bay, RJT Plumbing & Gas can inspect the property’s accessible plumbing and drainage systems, including CCTV inspection of sewer and stormwater lines where appropriate.
Know what you are buying before you commit.
Contact RJT Plumbing & Gas to discuss a pre-purchase plumbing inspection, or call 0417 860 064.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre-purchase plumbing inspection?
A pre-purchase plumbing inspection is an assessment of a property's accessible plumbing, drainage, hot water and gas systems before the buyer commits to the purchase. It can help identify existing faults, potential maintenance requirements and areas requiring further investigation.
What does a pre-purchase plumbing inspection cover?
The scope depends on the property and available access. It may include plumbing fixtures, visible pipework, toilets, taps, showers, downpipes, sewer and stormwater drainage, the hot water system and accessible parts of the gas service.
Does a pre-purchase plumbing inspection include CCTV drain cameras?
A comprehensive inspection can include CCTV camera inspections of accessible sewer and stormwater pipes. This allows the plumber to examine sections of pipe that cannot be assessed from the surface.
What problems can a CCTV drain inspection identify?
A CCTV drain inspection can help identify obstructions, tree-root intrusion, cracked or damaged pipes, displaced joints and other visible problems within accessible sewer and stormwater lines.
Is a building and pest inspection enough to assess the plumbing?
Inspection scopes vary, so buyers should confirm what their building and pest inspection includes. A dedicated plumbing inspection provides a more detailed assessment of the property's plumbing and drainage systems and can include CCTV examination of underground pipes.
Does finding plumbing problems mean I should not buy the property?
Not necessarily. Many plumbing problems can be repaired. Identifying them before purchasing allows the buyer to understand what work may be required, seek repair estimates and consider the findings when making their decision.
Can every pipe be checked during a pre-purchase inspection?
Some pipes may be concealed or inaccessible, and CCTV equipment requires suitable access points. The plumber can explain which systems were inspected, any limitations encountered and whether further investigation is recommended.
