5 Plumbing Systems to Know Before You Buy

5 Plumbing Systems to Know Before You Buy

Kennesaw, GA · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 32 votes

While being a licensed plumber in Atlanta you’ll see different plumbing situations in every house. Depending on where you buy in Atlanta depends on the type of plumbing you’re most likely to see if the property.

My Top 5 Plumbing issues that need to be addressed:

  1. Cast iron drain lines inside of the property. Most cast iron lines are at the end of their service lifecycle. If the property will be held as a rental beware of tenants flushing wipes.

  2. Grey poly waterlines. Grey poly waterlines have since been recalled for their proneness to leaks.

  3. Sewer scopes inspection. I recommend to always preform a sewer scope to be aware of the condition of drain lines and potential issues outside of the property.

  4. Galvanized main water lines. It’s not a matter of if, but when. These waterlines going from the city meter into your property are very susceptible to leaks and low water flow issues. The piping rusts from the inside just like cast iron drain lines. Often times if a galvanized water line has a leak a full replacement is necessary.

  5. Toilet condition. Toilets account for roughly 30% of total water use in properties. A leaking toilet will have a noticeable effect on water bills and it is often an inexpensive fix that can be avoided.

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Diana KhanPro Member
Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 631 posts · 217 votes
2d
Quote from @Kyle Trotman:

While being a licensed plumber in Atlanta you’ll see different plumbing situations in every house. Depending on where you buy in Atlanta depends on the type of plumbing you’re most likely to see if the property.

My Top 5 Plumbing issues that need to be addressed:

  1. Cast iron drain lines inside of the property. Most cast iron lines are at the end of their service lifecycle. If the property will be held as a rental beware of tenants flushing wipes.

  2. Grey poly waterlines. Grey poly waterlines have since been recalled for their proneness to leaks.

  3. Sewer scopes inspection. I recommend to always preform a sewer scope to be aware of the condition of drain lines and potential issues outside of the property.

  4. Galvanized main water lines. It’s not a matter of if, but when. These waterlines going from the city meter into your property are very susceptible to leaks and low water flow issues. The piping rusts from the inside just like cast iron drain lines. Often times if a galvanized water line has a leak a full replacement is necessary.

  5. Toilet condition. Toilets account for roughly 30% of total water use in properties. A leaking toilet will have a noticeable effect on water bills and it is often an inexpensive fix that can be avoided.

@Kyle Trotman, these are great things for buyers to pay attention to before purchasing a property. From the legal side, I'd also make sure the purchase agreement gives buyers enough time to complete their inspections and understand their options if something comes up. Finding a plumbing problem before closing is much better than dealing with an unexpected expense afterward.

I'm a real estate attorney and investor based in Maryland, and I work with clients on purchase agreements, property transactions, and contract matters. I've seen how important inspection terms can be when buyers discover issues they weren't expecting.

I appreciate you sharing this, @Kyle Trotman. Plumbing is easy to overlook when a property looks good on the surface, but it can make a big difference in the overall investment. Happy to stay connected!

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  • Diana KhanPro Member
    Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 631 posts · 217 votes
    2d
    Quote from @Kyle Trotman:

    While being a licensed plumber in Atlanta you’ll see different plumbing situations in every house. Depending on where you buy in Atlanta depends on the type of plumbing you’re most likely to see if the property.

    My Top 5 Plumbing issues that need to be addressed:

    1. Cast iron drain lines inside of the property. Most cast iron lines are at the end of their service lifecycle. If the property will be held as a rental beware of tenants flushing wipes.

    2. Grey poly waterlines. Grey poly waterlines have since been recalled for their proneness to leaks.

    3. Sewer scopes inspection. I recommend to always preform a sewer scope to be aware of the condition of drain lines and potential issues outside of the property.

    4. Galvanized main water lines. It’s not a matter of if, but when. These waterlines going from the city meter into your property are very susceptible to leaks and low water flow issues. The piping rusts from the inside just like cast iron drain lines. Often times if a galvanized water line has a leak a full replacement is necessary.

    5. Toilet condition. Toilets account for roughly 30% of total water use in properties. A leaking toilet will have a noticeable effect on water bills and it is often an inexpensive fix that can be avoided.

    @Kyle Trotman, these are great things for buyers to pay attention to before purchasing a property. From the legal side, I'd also make sure the purchase agreement gives buyers enough time to complete their inspections and understand their options if something comes up. Finding a plumbing problem before closing is much better than dealing with an unexpected expense afterward.

    I'm a real estate attorney and investor based in Maryland, and I work with clients on purchase agreements, property transactions, and contract matters. I've seen how important inspection terms can be when buyers discover issues they weren't expecting.

    I appreciate you sharing this, @Kyle Trotman. Plumbing is easy to overlook when a property looks good on the surface, but it can make a big difference in the overall investment. Happy to stay connected!

    • Kennesaw, GA · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 32 votes
      21h


      I completely agree @Diana Khan. I always tell customers it is better to be proactive than reactive.

      I think there’s a lot of value in this response. You’re not only highlighting the importance of the inspection itself but also the options if/ when something comes up in the inspection.

      Having a solid action plan for due diligence and knowing your options is powerful and gives you the confidence to make an informed decision.

  • Member since 2023 · 58 posts · 6 votes
    1d

    Kyle, from the operator side, this list is exactly where purchase inspections pay for themselves. We run 236 doors in Memphis, mostly single-family, and the plumbing surprises that hurt most are the ones found after closing — a failed cast iron line or a bad sewer lateral does not just cost the repair, it costs the turnover days around it, and turnover and vacancy cost more than repairs. Two habits that help us: scope the sewer line before we buy, every time, and keep a plumber on the bench who has already been tested on small paid jobs, so the first call is not a stranger. Cheap insurance either way.

  • Robert McGillBusiness Member
    Accountant · Houston Tx · Member since 2026 · 32 posts · 6 votes
    1d

    Thank you Kyle! I have a few clients in Atlanta. Good to know.

  • Kennesaw, GA · Member since 2019 · 70 posts · 32 votes
    21h

    This is also a good point and worth noting @Rosina Persaud. Your cost is also in the opportunity and rent loss from having a major repair such as these.

    Agreed. Having a sewer scope is not debatable.

    Oftentimes the plumbing inside the property can be updated while still having the original cast iron, terracotta (clay), orangeburg, or concrete sewer line outside the property.

    Sewer scopes also go for new builds for anyone wondering. Even though the sewer line may be installed with the updated PVC material, issues with roots, bellies, or separation may be present in the line.

  • Matthew MorrowBusiness Member
    Investor · PA - NY - NJ · Member since 2019 · 756 posts · 258 votes
    16h

    @Kyle Trotman good list. Sewer scopes are the one I'd never skip, and on rural properties the septic inspection matters just as much. A clean home inspection doesn't tell you much about what's under the yard. Buried capex is what ruins your day, so trust but verify. Hope some of that is useful.

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