Inspector found a hidden water leak that took 6 weeks to fix

Our home inspector spotted a damp spot in the basement during the walkthrough, but the seller insisted it was old and dry. We hired a plumber anyway and they found a slow leak in a pipe behind the wall that took 6 weeks and $3,500 to fully repair. Would you trust a seller's word on something like this or always pay for a second look?

2 comments

2 Comments

barbara39911d ago

Seller's word is worth exactly what you paid for it, which is nothing. I learned that the hard way when I bought my first house and the seller swore the roof was "five years old" when it was actually leaking within three months. Always pay for the second look, especially on anything involving water or foundation work. That $3500 fix stings now but it beats finding out six months later when the mold has already spread into the next room.

scott.mia11d ago

Oh man, yeah, trusting a seller on something like that is a gamble I'd never take again. Idk why people think water leaks are no big deal, but they can turn into a nightmare real quick if you ignore them. Barbara hit it spot on - water and foundation issues are two things you never skimp on checking yourself. A second opinion from a pro might cost you a couple hundred bucks upfront, but it saves you from getting stuck with a mess that costs way more in the long run. Honestly, the seller probably wasn't even lying, they just didn't know the full story, and that's why you gotta verify everything yourself.