Homeowner library · Homeowners
Plumbing checklist for buying an older home
Older Etobicoke homes have charm and solid construction, but their plumbing can hide expensive surprises. A focused checklist helps you know what you are buying.
- Sewer: Camera inspection
- Service pipe: Lead, galvanized, copper?
- Water heater: Age, owned or rented
- Shut-off: Works?
- Licensed, insured trade work (details confirmed when you call)
- Diagnosis before anything is cut
- Emergency calls taken
- Etobicoke and the west end
Buyer’s checklist
- Sewer
- Camera inspection
- Service pipe
- Lead, galvanized, copper?
- Water heater
- Age, owned or rented
- Shut-off
- Works?
- Flooding
- History and protection
Under the ground
Book a sewer camera inspection. Clay and cast iron laterals with roots or breaks are common and costly.
- Ask for footage and distances.
In the basement
Check the service pipe material at the meter. Look for galvanized or Kitec. Note how old the heater is and whether it is leased. Test the main shut-off.
- Look for water stains or efflorescence on walls.
Signs of past problems
Fresh paint on basement walls, new flooring in one area, a dehumidifier running constantly, or a backwater valve may indicate past flooding.
- Ask the seller about history.
Budgeting for repairs
If inspections reveal problems, get estimates before closing. Sewer lateral repairs, service replacement and repiping are significant costs.
- Use findings in negotiations.
Insurance
Some insurers ask about Kitec, galvanized pipe and backwater valves. Know your plumbing before buying insurance.
Your first week in the house
Locate the main valve and tag it.
- Test the sump pump.
- Check the water heater.
- Note where the cleanout is.