If you are getting ready to sell your home in Surrey, Langley, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, plumbing issues can make your deal go sideways.

Most buyers do not panic over paint colours.
They panic over water. 

A small drip under a sink, a slow drain, or a 14-year-old hot water tank can easily turn into a price reduction request after inspection.

Because it is expensive and frustrating when they have just spent money to buy a new place, the good news is that most of the problems that scare buyers are easy to spot early and often affordable to fix before a deal is made. 

This plumbing checklist before selling your home will help you protect your sale price, avoid last minute stress, and feel confident when buyers walk through the door.

What plumbing should I check before listing my home?

Check for leaks, test shut off valves, make sure water pressure feels normal, confirm hot water is reliable, test toilets for silent leaks, and look for slow drains or bad smells. Fix anything small before buyers see it, and book a pre-listing plumbing check if you want to avoid inspection surprises.

Why does plumbing matter when you are trying to protect your sale price?

Plumbing issues create two problems for sellers.

First, they can lead to real damage, especially if something leaks quietly. Second, even minor plumbing problems can make buyers assume the home was not maintained. That assumption is what creates discount requests.

Think of this checklist as a way to remove doubt. When buyers feel confident, they negotiate less aggressively.

The Pre-listing Plumbing Checklist

1. Check under every sink for leaks

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Start with the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry. Open the cabinet doors, turn the water on for 20 seconds, then wipe the pipes and connections with a dry paper towel.

Look for:

• wet spots or damp wood under the plumbing
• water stains or warped cabinet floors
• a musty smell that does not belong
• greenish buildup or rusty spots on metal parts

If the towel comes back wet, do not ignore it. A tiny drip today can become a big buyer concern tomorrow.

Read Also: Water line replacement- Signs you need to upgrade your plumbing

2. Toilets: the silent money leak

Toilets are one of the most common inspection notes, and also one of the easiest fixes.

Do this quick test:

• Add a few drops of food colouring to the toilet tank
• Wait 10 minutes and do not flush
• If colour shows up in the bowl, the toilet is leaking
  

Also, listen after a flush. Once it refills, it should go quiet. If it keeps running or refills randomly, buyers will notice.

3. Check water pressure in a way that feels normal to a buyer

Most people do not walk around with a pressure gauge. They judge by feel, especially in showers.

Go to your main shower and kitchen faucet and ask:

• Does the shower feel weak even with the handle fully open
• Does the pressure feel aggressively strong, like it is blasting
• Does the pressure change when someone uses water elsewhere
  

If the pressure is weird in more than one area, it is worth getting it checked before listing. Buyers will assume bigger plumbing issues if the pressure feels off.

4. Check drains for slow flow and bad smells

Run water in each sink and tub for 30 seconds. Watch the drain and pay attention to the smell.

Watch for:

• slow-draining water that pools for more than a few seconds
• gurgling sounds
• sewer-type smells that hit you when water runs
  

A bad smell during a showing can instantly ruin the buyer’s impression. The fix is often simple, but only if you handle it before the home is on the market.

5. Hot water tank: buyers ask about it every time

Buyers love asking about the age of the hot water tank because it feels like a future cost.

Check:

• age or install a sticker
• rust or moisture around the bottom
• any signs of slow leaking
• inconsistent hot water
  

If your tank is older or showing signs of wear, deal with it early. Otherwise, it often turns into a credit request after inspection.

Read Also:  Signs you need a hot water tank replacement or repair

6. Faucets and showers: small drips signal poor maintenance

Turn on every faucet and shower. Switch between hot and cold. Then turn it off and watch for drips.

Look for:

• dripping after shut off
• loose handles
• water around the base
• temperature swings that make it hard to control
  

Even if the fix is cheap, buyers tend to price it like a bigger issue.

7. Washing machine and dishwasher lines

Appliance supply lines are a common source of water damage.

Check behind appliances for:

• bulging hoses
• cracks
• corrosion on fittings
• moisture on the floor or around connections

Replacing hoses and tightening fittings is usually low cost and high value.

8. Outdoor taps and shutoffs

Outdoor taps get ignored until they leak.

Do a quick check:

• turn on each outdoor tap and confirm steady flow
• make sure it fully shuts off and does not drip
• check the wall area around it for staining or wetness
  

If you have a shut-off for outdoor water, confirm it turns easily.

“Fix now” vs “watch” before listing

Lower Mainland Specific Watch List

Here is what matters locally.

Poly B Plumbing

If your home was built or renovated between the 1980s and mid 1990s, check for Poly B piping. It is often a grey plastic pipe and sometimes marked PB2110. Poly B has a reputation for failures and can impact buyer confidence and sometimes insurance conversations.

If you are unsure, have a plumber inspect it before listing so you can plan your next steps confidently.

Condos and Townhomes

If you are selling a condo in Surrey or Langley, plumbing issues can affect multiple units.

Buyers often ask:

• Has there been previous water damage?
• Any shared plumbing concerns?

DIY vs plumber: Which one is the best option?

Some quick fixes are totally worth doing yourself. Others are better handled by a plumber because the cost of a mistake is higher than the cost of hiring someone once.

DIY friendly:

• replacing a toilet flapper
• tightening a loose handle
• replacing washing machine hoses
• cleaning up visible caulking lines for a clean look
  

Call a plumber if:

• moisture keeps returning after drying
• drains smell like sewer gas
• pressure feels inconsistent across the home
• you want a pre listing plumbing inspection for peace of mind
• you need repairs done quickly before showings

Read Also: Making the right choice for your home when it comes to DIY vs Professional plumbing

When should I book a plumber before selling my home?

Two to three weeks before listing is ideal, so you have time to fix issues calmly. Also, book before listing photos and open houses, and right after an inspection if the buyer requests plumbing-related repairs.

Final thoughts

If you are selling in the Lower Mainland, plumbing is not the place to gamble. You do not need to renovate your entire plumbing system. You just need to remove the obvious risks that buyers and inspectors flag.

Use this checklist, fix the small issues early, and document what you improve. 

If you want this checklist handled quickly and professionally, Rockson and Sons is one of the most trusted choices for homeowners in Surrey and Langley. With years of local experience, our team of expert plumbers across the Lower Mainland can help you fix what matters before your listing goes live. 

Call Rockson and Sons to book your pre-listing plumbing check and get your home ready to sell with confidence.  

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