Why it matters here
Durham's resale market includes a wide mix: century homes in Port Perry and Bowmanville, wartime houses in central Oshawa, 1970s backsplits in the east end and recent subdivisions up toward Windfields and Kedron. Each era has its own plumbing weak spots. A standard inspection rarely runs a camera through the sewer or opens the water heater paperwork, and those are where some of the biggest costs hide.
Step by step
- Run every tap. Turn on the top-floor shower and flush a toilet at the same time. Watch the pressure.
- Look under sinks. Check for stains, warped cabinet bottoms and old repairs.
- Find the main shut-off. See whether it turns and what the incoming pipe is made of.
- Check the heater. Note age, size and whether it is rented. Ask the seller for the agreement.
- Look at the basement floor. Is there a sump pit, a backwater valve, a floor drain with signs of past backups?
- Ask about the sewer. Has it been cleaned or repaired? Are there big trees out front?
- Order a camera inspection for older homes, or where the seller reports past drain issues.
- Ask about permits for any basement bathroom or renovation.
Ask the sellers for recent water bills. A sudden rise can point to a leak no one has found.
Mistakes to avoid
- Waiving conditions in a competitive housing market without at least a quick plumbing look.
- Assuming a newly renovated bathroom was done with a permit.
- Ignoring a rented heater; the agreement may follow the house.
- Overlooking a well or septic system on a rural property; these need their own inspection.
When to call a plumber
Book us during your conditional period for a camera inspection and a plumbing walk-through. We can tell you plainly what we see and what is routine. Recurring grease problems may point to hydro jetting, and old galvanized lines to whole-house repiping. Our guide to hard water in Durham explains the scale you may see on fixtures.