They say hindsight is 20/20, and I have new knowledge to share that would have been good to know when doing a plumbing inspection.
Recently we purchased a 12 unit apartment building in FL. Our due diligence checked all the boxes, except for one; a thorough plumbing inspection.
When I spoke with our plumbing inspector, he provided two options;
- Do a complete inspection including all lateral waste lines.
- Inspect the waste line stacks from the roof to the street.
For those who have not had a plumber scope your lines, it is comparable to a colonoscopy for your building. The plumber puts a camera through the pipes to see what’s inside.
Given my experience, as a property owner, investor and as an insurance broker, I felt confident that the waste line stack inspection was appropriate. On a couple of properties we own, we have had to replace the waste line from the structure to the street, as well as water mains due to tree roots growing into the waste lines, and growing roots pressing against the main until it broke the line.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have selected the complete plumbing inspection including the all the lateral waste lines. But then, I would not have had the opportunity to meet Ann McClellan with Roman Plumbing of Central Florida, who I highly recommend if you are in Central Florida and have an old building with older plumbing.
What I have learned about a plumbing inspection
Old buildings have old plumbing. If you are considering buying or currently own a building that is older than thirty years, you have some potential repairs in your near future.Continue Reading …
