Before you buy:
Conduct a detailed physical inspection before you buy your investment. An experienced, licensed physical inspector is recommended. It will be around $300.00, but varies dependent on inspector and type of property. Even if you think you know a lot about property, a competent inspector knows more. And will save your assets. In North San Diego call David Kates: www.4thehomeinspector.com
Pressed for time:
Stick your head up in the attic access with a flashlight and look for exposed piping. If you see any bluish-green stains on the pipes, away from the joints, this could be evidence of a pinhole leak.
Guesstimate the age of the pipes. If you estimate the pipes to be 25 years or older, investigate further and plan for an eventual leak.
Find any evidence of previous leaks. Become a Sherlock Holmes and look hard for any evidence within the property of drywall repair or re-painting. If the pipes run overhead and there is a discolored patch on the ceiling; something went down. But don’t overreact….it could also be a roof leak. Yikes.
Are the pipes Copper or polybutylene? Polybutylene piping, a type of plastic piping or copper pipes with plastic fittings, can still be found in homes across San Diego. A home built between 1978 and 1995 could have P.B piping. Looking in the attic at exposed piping and checkout the fittings/joints where the two pipes meet can tell you if you have P.B. If you do, replace your piping.
Just to give you an idea: Having the piping replaced in a home can cost between $7,500 and $8,500 for a 2,000 sq.ft home.
A good sign
Go into the garage and walk around outside the property. If you see pipes running on the outside of the drywall, this is evidence of a “re-plumb”. The pipes have been replaced. That means someone’s old pipes are now your new pipes; thats good news. But look for any evidence of previous water damage or mold intrusion. Almost no homeowner will preventatively replace their pipes. A leak prompts most homeowners to replace their piping.
Wed, Dec 9, 2009
Education