Homeowner notes
What to Check in the Plumbing Before Buying a Resale Home
Older GTA houses have character and good bones, and sometimes very old plumbing. Here is what to look at before you firm up an offer.
- Plain steps a homeowner can follow
- Where the DIY part ends and a plumber takes over
- Ontario and GTA details where they matter
- Plumbing facts, no sales pitch
Diagnosis first, tested after
- Licensed & insured: ask us
- Camera before cutting
- Water-tested repairs
- Booked by phone
Materials to identify
- Water service: lead, galvanized or copper?
- Supply piping: galvanized steel, copper, PEX or a mix?
- Drains: cast iron, clay lateral, ABS?
- Main valve: present, accessible, working?
Questions to ask the seller
- Has water ever come up in the basement, and from where?
- Is there a backwater valve or sump pump?
- Has the sewer lateral been inspected or replaced?
- Is the water heater owned or rented?
- Were renovations done with permits?
General inspectors judge what they can see; nobody sees the lateral without a camera.
Inspections worth adding
A sewer camera inspection is valuable for any home with mature trees or a clay lateral. A plumber’s look at the supply and drains can complement a general inspector’s report.
Budget for upgrades
| Item | When to plan |
|---|---|
| Lead service | Soon after purchase |
| Galvanized supply | Within a few years |
| Clay lateral with roots | Monitor or replace |
| Backwater valve | Before finishing basement |
Call (365) 387-8531 with questions about a house you are considering.
What we do on a pre-purchase look
We run the camera from the basement cleanout to the street, lift the toilet tank lids, open the main valve fully and closed again to see whether it seizes, check the meter for creep, and scratch the incoming service pipe with a key to tell lead from copper.
Stop and call a plumber if
- Meter dial creeps with every tap closed
- Brown stains spreading on a ceiling below a bathroom
- Pressure drops when two fixtures run together
Common questions
Will insurers cover a house with galvanized pipe?
Some insurers ask about it or require replacement. Check before closing.