Plumbing Issues After Buying a House? Here’s What to Do
You fell in love with an older home; maybe it was the timeless elegance of its architecture or maybe it was because it gave you a hint of nostalgia. You absolutely love your newly purchased home. There’s just one problem— the plumbing.
You’ve already spent an arm and a leg between the closing costs and down payment and can’t really afford to fix the plumbing which was presumed to be in working condition prior to purchasing it.
Soon after, you contact your Realtor to see if the seller has any liability for the poor plumbing problem. However, in the back of your mind, you know that the new homeowner is typically responsible for any repairs post-purchase.
Common Plumbing Issues With Older Homes
Older homes often come with a variety of plumbing issues that can be challenging to address. These issues may include:
- Corroded pipes that can lead to leaks or reduced water pressure.
- Outdated piping materials, such as lead or galvanized steel, which may pose health risks or be prone to failure.
- Inefficient or malfunctioning water heaters that struggle to meet modern demands.
- Clogged or slow drains due to years of accumulated debris and sediment.
- Faulty or worn-out fixtures that may cause leaks or water wastage.
- Poorly designed plumbing systems that do not comply with current building codes.
4 Solutions to Your Plumbing Problems
The following are several areas that you, or the court, will review to determine who is liable for the plumbing problem.
Purchasing Agreement
One of the immediate places open for review is the agreed terms outlined in your purchasing agreement with the seller.
If there was a clause that stated you would purchase the home “as is,” then the seller generally won’t be liable for repairing the plumbing problem.
However, if there was verbiage that paralleled the phrasing “upon fixing…,” then the seller will likely have to honor the purchasing agreement and resolve the plumbing problem.
Nature of the Problem
Often times the purchasing agreement will be void of any indication there is a problem with the plumbing fixtures.
When the problem isn’t stated in the purchasing agreement, the courts will evaluate the nature of the problem to determine if you could have easily discovered it, such as leaky pipes, during a walk-through.
Home Inspections
Older homes that are on the market generally require a home inspection to be conducted; however, the buyer has the option to decline this as it is an additional expense.
If the buyer declines a home inspection that could have detailed the condition of the plumbing installations, then the buyer will likely be responsible for covering the plumbing repairs.
Seller Misrepresentation
If the seller intentionally misrepresented the condition of the home’s plumbing, then he or she is not only responsible for covering the repair costs but may also face legal consequences for fraud. This misrepresentation could involve providing false information about the state of the plumbing or deliberately concealing known issues, such as leaks or outdated systems, during the sale process.
Such actions can lead to significant legal repercussions, including potential lawsuits, fines, and damage to the seller’s reputation. In some cases, the buyer may be entitled to compensation for any additional expenses incurred due to the seller’s deceit, and the courts may impose penalties to deter such fraudulent behavior in real estate transactions.
What to Do After Finding Plumbing Problems in Your New Home
Upon discovering plumbing issues in your newly purchased home, it’s crucial to address them promptly to prevent further damage. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the process:
- Inspect and document all plumbing issues
- Contact a licensed plumber for an assessment
- Turn off the main water supply if necessary
- Review home warranty or insurance coverage
- Schedule necessary repairs
- Keep records of all communications and repairs for future reference
Taking these steps will help ensure your home’s plumbing is restored efficiently and effectively.
Plumbing Repairs in Sacramento
Whether you are a seller or a buyer of a home with plumbing problems, the best thing to do is to repair them as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
In Sacramento, you can contact the leaders in trenchless technology to get your pipes running good as new.
Contact an expert at Express Sewer & Drain today and see how they can help solve your plumbing problem as efficiently as possible.
This post first appeared on https://www.expresssewer.com
