Home Buyer Water Damage Checklist for North Phoenix

Homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s may have polybutylene supply pipe. Ask the seller whether the home has been repiped and when, and ask the inspector to note the pipe type. If PB is still present, budget for a repipe or negotiate.

Arizona sellers generally disclose known issues on a disclosure form. Read it closely for past leaks, slab leaks, roof leaks and mold. Ask for invoices for any repairs and drying.

Fresh paint on one section of ceiling, mismatched texture, new baseboards in one room or patched drywall near plumbing can mean a past leak. Ask about them.

Ask the roof's age and whether the underlayment on a tile roof has been replaced. Look at ceilings for stains, especially near exterior walls. A roof inspection may be worth it for older tile roofs.

Find the air handler, often in the attic or a closet. Look for rust in the pan, water stains around the unit and whether a float switch is installed. Ask for HVAC service records.

Check the label for the manufacture date. Tanks in Phoenix's hard water often last around 8 to 12 years. Look for rust at the base and a drain pan.

Ask to do a meter test during the inspection: turn off all water use and watch the meter's leak indicator. Movement can mean a hidden leak, such as a slab leak.

For older homes, especially with mature trees, a sewer camera inspection shows roots, cracks or sags in the line. It costs little compared with a line repair.

Get insurance quotes before closing. Some insurers ask about polybutylene, roof age and past claims, which can affect coverage and price.

Ask the inspector to check the attic for stained decking, damp or compacted insulation and rust around the air handler pan. These show past roof or AC leaks.

Open every sink cabinet. Stains, swelling or a musty smell point to past or current leaks. Check the supply lines and shut-off valves too.

If the home has a softener or filter system, check it for leaks and ask about its age and service history.

Walk around the house. Yard grading should slope away from the foundation, and downspouts should drain away from walls. Look for water stains on stucco near the ground.

Found a leak after moving in? Call (602) 878-5475 for a local provider.

Fresh paint on part of a ceiling or new flooring in one room can be normal updating, or it can cover recent water damage. Ask when and why the work was done and ask for invoices. A moisture meter reading during the inspection shows whether the area is dry now.

For townhomes and condos, ask the HOA whether there have been leaks in the unit or neighboring units, and review the association's insurance and reserve study.

When was the roof last replaced or the underlayment redone? Has the home had a slab leak? When was the water heater installed? Has the AC drain ever overflowed? Has there been any mold work?

Find the main valve, the water heater shut-off and the AC drain line. Do a meter test in the first week. Replace washer hoses if they are rubber. Put leak sensors near the water heater and under sinks. Write down the roof's age and the water heater's install date.

A little checking before closing and in the first week saves a lot later.

Bring this checklist to your inspection and ask the inspector to note pipe type, roof age, AC pan condition, water heater age and any moisture readings. Ask the seller for repair invoices.

Water damage that was found, fixed and dried properly is rarely a reason to walk away from a home. Hidden, ongoing leaks are. The checklist above helps you tell the difference before you sign. Ask questions early, get answers in writing and keep every invoice the seller gives you.

Ask about pipes, past leaks, the roof underlayment, the AC drain and the water heater, and do a meter test. Finding problems before closing gives you options; see polybutylene pipe leaks if PB turns up.

Questions about home buyer water damage checklist for north phoenix? Call (602) 878-5475 to reach a local North Phoenix provider, 24 hours a day.