Buying a home can be a stressful process. Not only will you need to secure financing, but you will also need to scour through the endless listings of properties available. Once you do find a home that appeals to you, you will need to make sure you are making a smart investment. Home inspections are helpful, but most buyers do not place enough emphasis on the plumbing of their potential new home. Before you make an offer, use this guide to inspect a few key areas of the home's plumbing system:

Faucets and Showerheads

Inspect the showerheads and sink and tub faucets for signs of leaks when looking at a potential new home. Even the smallest and occasional drips of water from these fixtures can really add up over time. An estimated 4,000 drips equal one liter of water waste, which can be costly if you have a monthly water bill.

In most cases, a dripping faucet or showerhead can be repaired easily by replacing a worn gasket. However, you will need to account for the time and cost of repairs when deciding on a home to purchase.

In addition, if the home has fixtures that are not only leaking, but also outdated, you should consider replacing with new, modern, and water efficient faucets.

Toilets

Another item to focus on is the toilets of the home. Leaks are also common in toilets, but learning the signs of chronic clogs can also help you determine the home has septic issues.

To get started, check the bowl, inside of toilet tank, and the area surrounding the toilet for signs of discoloration or warping. Heavy staining is a sign that the existing or previous homeowners did not maintain or clean the toilets properly. If any areas around the toilet feel soft to the touch, there is most likely a leak that is causing serious water damage.

Use your hands to grasp the toilet bowl. If the bowl rocks or you feel any movement, the toilet may require a new seal or it is not secured to the flange.

Water Heater

On average, traditional water heaters have a lifespan of 10 years. Proper maintenance, such as draining the water heater tank, can help extend the lifespan of this appliance. However, if you are considering an older home with an older water heater, you may need to replace it after moving in.

While looking at a potential home, check the water heater for signs of distress. Turn a few faucets on to allow hot water to flow for a few minutes. Then, go to the water heater to look and listen for signs of potential issues.

If the water heater is making loud, grumbling noises, there may be corrosion built up inside the tank. These unusually-loud noises are a sure sign that the water heater may need to be replaced.

Also, any signs of leaks or water damage around the water heater may be signaling distress.

Inspecting these key areas of a home's plumbing is smart if you want to avoid making a bad financial investment. To learn more about a home's plumbing, contact a company like Midwestern Plumbing Service to help you through the inspection.