TL;DR • Quick Summary
- Run through eight checks in your first week: toilets, taps and pressure, drains, hot water system, visible pipework, septic or wastewater, the water meter, and outdoor taps or irrigation.
- A moved meter reading after a period of no water use is one of the strongest signs of a hidden leak.
- Catching issues early avoids expensive surprises later.
Moving into a new home is exciting, and it’s easy to overlook the less glamorous checks in the process, plumbing among them. A clogged toilet at midnight or a leak you didn’t catch in week one can turn excitement into a headache fast. Here’s what to check as soon as you move in, whether you’ve bought in Baldivis, Rockingham, Mandurah or anywhere else across the Perth metro area.
Related → Signs your hot water system needs replacing | Water leak detection Perth
New Home Plumbing Checklist
1
Toilets. Flush each one and confirm they drain and refill properly. Listen for any running water after the cistern should have stopped, which usually points to a worn valve.
2
Taps and water pressure. Run every shower and tap in the house. Weak pressure, especially from showers, can indicate a leak somewhere in the system.
3
Sinks and drains. As you run taps, watch how quickly water drains away. Slow drainage or unpleasant odours both suggest a blockage or venting issue worth investigating.
5
Visible pipework. If you can access under-house or roof cavity areas safely, a quick visual check of exposed pipes can flag corrosion or damage before it becomes a bigger problem.
6
Septic tank or wastewater system. If the property has one, check for odours or slow drainage, both of which can indicate a developing fault.
7
Water meter. Take a reading when you move in, then check it again after a period with no water use, such as overnight. If the reading has moved, it’s a strong sign of a hidden leak.
8
Outdoor taps and irrigation. Test all outdoor taps and, if the property has reticulation, run it through a full cycle to check for leaks, blocked heads or backflow issues.
When to Call a Professional
You can run through most of these checks yourself, but for anything you’re unsure about, it’s worth getting a professional set of eyes on it early. A plumber in Baldivis, or wherever you’re located across the Perth metro area, can confirm everything is in working order so small issues don’t turn into expensive ones.
Just moved in?
Aus Star Plumbing & Gas will run a full plumbing check-over on your new home, so you know exactly what’s working and what needs attention before it becomes a costly surprise. Licence PL7378.
Aus Star Plumbing & Gas, Licence PL7378, servicing Perth’s south corridor and Peel region including Rockingham, Baldivis, Kwinana, Mandurah, Cockburn and surrounds.
