The New Homeowner's Plumbing Checklist: What to Inspect Before the Honeymoon Phase Ends

The House That Seemed Perfect

You've just closed on your dream home. The excitement of ownership fills every room as you plan renovations, arrange furniture, and settle into your new space. Everything seems perfect until three months later when you discover the water heater is 15 years old, the sewer line has tree roots, and the main shutoff valve doesn't actually shut off.

At S&S Waterworks, we've helped countless Polk County homeowners deal with plumbing surprises they wish they'd discovered earlier. While home inspections catch major issues, they often miss developing problems that will cost you money soon after moving in. This comprehensive checklist helps new homeowners identify potential plumbing issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Start with the Basics: Finding Your Critical Components

Before diving into detailed inspections, you need to know where everything is. Locating your plumbing system's key components is essential for both routine maintenance and emergency response.

Find your main water shutoff valve. This critical component stops all water flowing into your home. In most Polk County homes, it's located where the municipal line enters the house, often in the garage, near the water heater, or in a utility closet. Test the valve to ensure it actually works. Some older valves seize up and won't close completely when you need them.

Locate shutoff valves for individual fixtures. Under every sink, behind every toilet, and near your water heater, you should find valves that control water to those specific locations. Test each one to ensure it operates smoothly. Knowing these locations lets you isolate problems without shutting off water to your entire home.

Find your water heater and note the installation date. There should be a sticker or plate with manufacturing information. Calculate the age, as water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If yours is approaching or past this age, start budgeting for replacement.

Locate your sewer cleanout. This is a capped pipe sticking up from the ground or floor, usually near your home's exterior. If you ever need your sewer line cleared, this access point saves significant time and money.

The Water Heater Investigation

Your water heater is one of your home's most important and expensive plumbing components. A thorough inspection helps you understand its condition and plan for maintenance or replacement.

Check the age first. As mentioned, water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If yours is older than this, replacement should be on your near-term home improvement list. Older units are less efficient and more prone to failure.

Look for signs of rust or corrosion on the tank, pipes, and connections. Surface rust on external components isn't necessarily catastrophic, but rust on the tank itself suggests the unit is nearing the end of its life.

Check for moisture or standing water around the base. Any water suggests a leak that will only get worse. Small leaks today often become floods tomorrow.

Test the temperature and pressure relief valve. Lift the lever and let it snap back. Water should flow out and then stop completely. If water continues dripping or if no water comes out at all, the valve needs replacement.

Flush the water heater to remove sediment. This is particularly important in Polk County where hard water causes rapid sediment accumulation. Flushing improves efficiency and extends the unit's life. S&S Waterworks can perform this service if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

Testing Water Pressure Throughout Your Home

Water pressure problems affect your daily comfort and can indicate serious plumbing issues. Testing pressure should be one of your first tasks as a new homeowner.

You can test pressure with an inexpensive gauge that screws onto an outdoor faucet. Ideal pressure ranges between 40 and 60 PSI. Below 40 PSI, you'll notice weak flow. Above 80 PSI can damage your plumbing over time.

Test pressure at multiple fixtures to identify whether any problems are localized or system-wide. Run faucets, flush toilets, and test showers throughout the house. Note any areas with noticeably weaker flow.

If pressure seems low, check all shutoff valves to ensure they're fully open. Previous owners sometimes partially close valves and forget to reopen them completely.

If pressure is too high, consider installing a pressure regulator. S&S Waterworks can assess your situation and install appropriate pressure control to protect your plumbing system.

The Drain Investigation: Finding Problems Before They Find You

Slow drains are among the most common plumbing complaints, and they're often developing when you move in even if they seem fine initially.

Test every drain in the house. Fill sinks to the rim and watch how quickly they drain. Time how long toilets take to refill after flushing. Run showers and tubs, noting how quickly water drains.

Look under every sink for signs of past or current leaks. Water stains, warped cabinet bottoms, or musty odors all suggest drainage or supply line problems. Even if nothing is actively leaking now, past water damage indicates areas prone to problems.

Listen for gurgling sounds when water drains. Gurgling suggests venting problems or partial blockages that will worsen over time. Address these issues before they become complete blockages.

Check P-traps under sinks for proper installation. These curved sections of pipe should hold water, creating a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. Improperly installed traps can cause odor problems and drainage issues.

The Toilet Inspection: Preventing Future Frustrations

Toilets seem simple, but they're actually complex systems with multiple components that can fail. Inspecting them thoroughly prevents future problems.

Perform the food coloring test on every toilet. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, wait 30 minutes without flushing, then check the bowl. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking, wasting significant water and money.

Check for wobbling or rocking. Toilets should be firmly attached to the floor. Movement suggests problems with the wax ring or floor flange that could lead to leaks and water damage.

Inspect tank components. Look at the fill valve, flapper, and flush mechanism. Corroded or obviously worn parts should be replaced before they fail. Toilet repair parts are inexpensive, and replacing them is straightforward.

Test flush power. Weak flushing suggests problems with the flush valve, water level, or partial blockages in the drain. Address these issues before they become complete failures.

Look around the base for water stains or loose caulk. These signs suggest past leaks that might recur. If you see water damage, have S&S Waterworks inspect the toilet's installation and seal.

The Hidden Danger: Sewer Line Assessment

Your sewer line is expensive to repair and often causes catastrophic problems when it fails. While you can't inspect it directly without professional equipment, you can look for warning signs.

Ask the previous owners about any sewer line work or problems. This information helps you understand potential issues that might recur.

Watch for slow drainage in multiple fixtures, especially those on lower floors. This often indicates main line problems rather than individual drain issues.

Notice any sewage odors around your property, particularly near the sewer cleanout or in areas where the line might be shallow. Odors suggest leaks or damaged pipes.

Look for unusually green or lush patches of grass in your yard, especially in a line running from your house to the street. This pattern often indicates sewer line leaks providing nutrients to the grass above.

S&S Waterworks offers sewer line video inspections that show the exact condition of your pipes. For new homeowners, especially those buying older homes, this inspection provides valuable peace of mind or early warning of developing problems.

The Fixture Function Check

Every faucet, showerhead, and water-using appliance in your home deserves testing to identify problems and needed maintenance.

Turn on every faucet in the house. Test both hot and cold water at each location. Check for leaks at the base of faucets, around handles, and under sinks at supply line connections.

Adjust faucet handles and test for smooth operation. Stiff or grinding handles suggest worn internal components that should be replaced before they fail completely.

Test all showerheads and tub faucets. Check for adequate pressure, proper temperature mixing, and absence of leaks. Note any fixtures that drip after being turned off, as these need new washers or cartridges.

Run your washing machine through a cycle. Check hoses for bulges, cracks, or obvious age. Replace supply lines that look questionable; a burst washing machine hose can flood your home in minutes.

Test your dishwasher by running it through a cycle. Listen for unusual sounds, check for leaks under the unit, and ensure it drains completely.

See also: The Silent Struggle: When Your Sink Refuses to Drain

Inspecting Exposed Pipes

Any pipes you can see should be inspected for problems or developing issues that need attention.

Look in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and utility areas for visible plumbing. Check pipes for rust, corrosion, or white/green mineral deposits that indicate leaks or developing problems.

Feel pipes for soft spots, which can indicate corrosion eating through from the inside. Pay particular attention to joints and connections where leaks often start.

Check pipe insulation in unconditioned spaces. Proper insulation prevents condensation in summer and protects against rare freezes in winter. Add insulation where it's missing.

Note what type of pipes your home has. Galvanized steel pipes common in older homes often need replacement due to internal corrosion. Polybutylene pipes, installed in many homes between 1978 and 1995, are known for premature failure and should be replaced. S&S Waterworks can assess your pipes and recommend appropriate action.

The Water Quality Check

Water quality issues affect your plumbing system's longevity and your family's health. As a new homeowner, understanding your water quality helps you protect your investment.

Notice any discoloration in your water. Rusty or brown water suggests corroding pipes. Yellow or cloudy water might indicate sediment problems or main line issues.

Pay attention to taste and smell. Metallic tastes suggest pipe corrosion. Sulfur or rotten egg smells indicate bacteria in your water heater or well system. Chlorine smells, while common with municipal water, can be excessive in some cases.

Check for hard water signs. White buildup on faucets and showerheads, difficulty getting soap to lather, and spots on dishes all indicate hard water. Consider testing your water's mineral content and possibly installing a water softener to protect your plumbing and appliances.

S&S Waterworks can test your water and recommend appropriate treatment systems if needed. In Polk County, where hard water is common, water softeners often prove valuable investments.

The Outdoor Plumbing Tour

Don't forget your home's exterior plumbing components. These often-neglected areas can cause expensive problems if not properly maintained.

Test all outdoor faucets for proper operation and absence of leaks. Check where they connect to the house for any signs of water damage or past leaks.

If your home has an irrigation system, test it thoroughly. Run through all zones, watching for broken heads, misaligned spray patterns, and signs of leaks.

Inspect your water meter and the main line running from the street. Look for wet spots in your yard along this path that might indicate leaks in the main supply line.

Check gutters and downspouts to ensure they drain away from your foundation. While not technically plumbing, proper drainage prevents water from infiltrating your home and causing problems.

Creating Your Maintenance Schedule

Now that you've inspected everything, create a maintenance schedule that keeps your plumbing system in top condition. This proactive approach prevents problems and extends the life of your home's plumbing.

Schedule annual professional inspections with S&S Waterworks. Our comprehensive evaluations catch developing problems before they become emergencies.

Plan for monthly homeowner tasks: testing the water heater pressure relief valve, cleaning faucet aerators and showerheads, checking under sinks for leaks, and running water in rarely-used fixtures.

Set seasonal reminders for tasks like flushing your water heater, checking irrigation systems, and preparing outdoor plumbing for temperature changes.

When to Call the Professionals

Your inspection might reveal problems beyond your ability or comfort level to address. Call S&S Waterworks when you discover leaks you can't fix, water heater issues or age concerns, sewer line warning signs, major pressure problems, complex fixture failures, or any situation where you're unsure about proper diagnosis or repair.

Our experienced technicians bring expertise and equipment that quickly solve problems while providing guidance on your home's specific plumbing situation.

Protecting Your Investment

Your new home represents a major investment, and its plumbing system is a critical component of that investment. These early inspections help you understand what you bought, identify needed maintenance, and prevent expensive surprises.

Don't let the excitement of homeownership distract you from these important checks. A few hours invested now can save thousands later and provide peace of mind that your plumbing system is ready to serve your family reliably.

Contact S&S Waterworks today to schedule your new homeowner plumbing evaluation. We'll help you understand your system, address any concerns from your inspection, and establish a maintenance plan that protects your home for years to come. Your plumbing deserves expert attention from the start, not just when problems become obvious.