{"id":1709,"date":"2026-09-07T06:43:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:43:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/?p=1709"},"modified":"2026-10-23T11:13:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:13:42","slug":"buying-older-property-spain-plumbing-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/nl\/buying-older-property-spain-plumbing-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying an Older Property in Spain? Plumbing Problems to Check First"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.ppb{\n  --pp-blue:#2BA6DE; --pp-blue-dk:#1E8FC4; --pp-navy:#1B3A8F; --pp-orange:#F5871F;\n  --pp-ink:#3A3A3A; --pp-body:#6E7377; --pp-muted:#9AA0A5; --pp-line:#E6E9EB;\n  --pp-wash:#F5F7F8; --pp-r:5px;\n}\n.ppb,.ppb *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.ppb{color:var(--pp-body);line-height:1.8}\n.ppb p{margin:0 0 1.2em}\n.ppb a{color:var(--pp-blue);font-weight:700}\n.ppb .ppb-toc a,.ppb .ppb-svc,.ppb .ppb-more,.ppb .ppb-btn{font-weight:400}\n.ppb a:hover{color:var(--pp-blue-dk)}\n.ppb strong,.ppb b{color:var(--pp-ink)}\n\n.ppb-sec{margin:52px 0 18px}\n.ppb-sec h2{\n  font-size:clamp(25px,4vw,32px)!important;font-weight:300!important;\n  line-height:1.4!important;color:var(--pp-ink)!important;\n  margin:0!important;text-align:left!important;text-transform:none!important;scroll-margin-top:100px;\n}\n.ppb-body h3{\n  font-size:clamp(19px,2.8vw,23px)!important;font-weight:300!important;\n  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.ppb-more__txt{color:var(--pp-blue)}\n\n.ppb-svcs__grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:10px}\n@media(min-width:620px){.ppb-svcs__grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}\n.ppb-svc{display:block;padding:16px 20px;border:1px solid var(--pp-line);border-radius:var(--pp-r);text-decoration:none;transition:border-color .18s ease,background .18s ease}\n.ppb-svc:hover{border-color:var(--pp-blue);background:var(--pp-wash)}\n.ppb-svc__t{display:block;font-size:16px;color:var(--pp-ink)}\n.ppb-svc:hover .ppb-svc__t{color:var(--pp-blue)}\n.ppb-svc__d{display:block;font-size:13px;color:var(--pp-muted);margin-top:1px}\n\n.ppb-areas__k{display:block;font-size:15px;color:var(--pp-muted);margin:0 0 8px}\n.ppb-areas p{margin:0;font-size:15px;line-height:1.9;color:var(--pp-ink)}\n\n.ppb-btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:9px;min-height:46px;padding:0 30px;border-radius:4px;font-size:15px;text-decoration:none!important;transition:background .18s ease,color .18s ease}\n.ppb-btn--solid:hover{background:#DB7614!important;color:#fff!important}\n.ppb-btn--line:hover{background:rgba(255,255,255,.15)!important;color:#fff!important}\n.ppb-close__btns{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px}\n.ppb-close h2{font-size:clamp(23px,3.6vw,29px)!important;font-weight:300!important;color:#fff!important;margin:0 0 12px!important;line-height:1.4!important;text-align:left!important}\n.ppb-close__note{font-size:14px}\n\n@media(prefers-reduced-motion:reduce){.ppb *{transition:none!important}}\n@media print{.ppb-close,.ppb-areas,.ppb-svcs{display:none!important}}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"ppb\">\n\n<div class=\"ppb-answer\" style=\"border-left:3px solid #2BA6DE;padding:2px 0 2px 20px;margin:0 0 30px\">\n  <p>Before you buy an older property in Spain, check water pressure at several taps, the condition of visible pipework, under every sink, damp patches, the toilets, how the drains run, the hot water, the boiler and gas installation, the stopcock, and the outdoor taps and irrigation.<\/p>\n  <p><strong>Most of it you can do yourself in twenty minutes at a second viewing. The checklist below is in the order it makes sense to walk the property.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<details class=\"ppb-toc\" open=\"\">\n  <summary>In this article<\/summary>\n  <ol>\n    <li><a href=\"#why\">Why the plumbing matters in an older Spanish property<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#glance\">The checklist at a glance<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#checks\">The eleven checks in detail<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#risk\">How serious is what you found?<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#questions\">Questions to ask the seller or agent<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#costa-blanca\">What is different about Costa Blanca properties<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#inspection\">Is a plumbing inspection worth it before you buy?<\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-body\">\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"why\">Why the plumbing matters in an older Spanish property<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>Older Spanish properties are often better built than people expect. The problem is rarely the original construction: it is thirty or forty years of patch repairs, part-renovations and hard water on top of it.<\/p>\n\n<p>Modern installations here are built to the <b>C\u00f3digo T\u00e9cnico de la Edificaci\u00f3n<\/b> \u2014 HS 4 covers water supply, HS 5 covers wastewater, and there are requirements for protection against humidity. A property that predates those requirements may be perfectly sound, but it was not built to them, and nobody will tell you that at a viewing.<\/p>\n\n<p>None of what follows means you should walk away. It means you should know what you are buying before you agree a price.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"glance\">The checklist at a glance<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-table\">\n  <table>\n    <thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Area<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What to look for<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Why it matters<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Water pressure<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Weak flow from several taps<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">Scale, old pipes or a supply problem<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Visible pipes<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Rust, corrosion, staining, old repairs<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">Ageing pipework<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Under sinks<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Drips, damp wood, mould, smells<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">The commonest place a leak hides<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Bathrooms<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Slow drains, loose toilets, poor flushing<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">Waste pipe or cistern faults<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Kitchen<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Sink drainage, appliance hoses, leaks<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">A busy area with many connections<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Hot water<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">No hot water, noise, rust, leaks<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">May need repair or replacement<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Boiler<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Odd noises, pressure loss, error codes<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">Heating system faults<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Drains<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Smells, gurgling, slow flow<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">A blockage or a vent problem<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Stopcock<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Where it is, and whether it works<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">It is what saves you in a leak<\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Area\">Outdoors<\/th><td data-label=\"Look for\">Wet patches, irrigation leaks, old taps<\/td><td data-label=\"Why\">Almost always missed on a viewing<\/td><\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"checks\">The eleven checks in detail<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-pressure\">1. Check water pressure in several taps<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Run the kitchen tap, a bathroom tap, the shower and an outdoor tap \u2014 first one at a time, then two together.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <p>Weak flow at several fixtures at once.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One weak tap is usually local: a blocked aerator, a partly closed valve. Several weak fixtures point at the system \u2014 limescale, old or narrow pipes, weak supply pressure, a faulty pressure regulator, or a hidden leak.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-pipes\">2. Look for old, corroded or mixed pipework<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Look at every run of pipe you can actually see \u2014 under sinks, in the utility room, the garage, around the boiler.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>rust, or green and white staining on copper;<\/li>\n      <li>corroded joints, pipes poorly supported;<\/li>\n      <li>visible patch repairs, pipes entering a damp wall;<\/li>\n      <li>valves too stiff to turn.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One old pipe is not a reason to walk away. Repeated patches along the same run are, and so is a mix of three different materials joined together. Our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/should-you-repair-or-replace-old-plumbing-pipes\/\">whether to repair or replace old plumbing pipes<\/a> goes into where the line falls.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-sinks\">3. Inspect under the sinks and inside the cabinets<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Open every cabinet \u2014 kitchen, bathrooms, utility, vanity units \u2014 and look at the dishwasher and washing machine connections.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>swollen or darkened cabinet bases;<\/li>\n      <li>mould, water stains, a musty smell;<\/li>\n      <li>corrosion on fittings, a dripping trap;<\/li>\n      <li>a loose waste pipe.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-damp\">4. Check for damp patches and hidden leaks<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Walls near bathrooms and kitchens, floors above bathrooms, around the water heater or boiler, walls with pipes buried in them, and terrace or outdoor tap connections.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <p>Damp with no obvious cause \u2014 and anyone telling you it is only cosmetic.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A leak under a floor slab shows up as a warm or damp patch long before anything else appears, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/how-to-detect-a-slab-leak-befoer-it-damages-your-property\/\">detecting a slab leak early<\/a> is the difference between a repair and a renovation.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-toilets\">5. Test every toilet<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Flush each one, then wait and watch what happens after the flush finishes.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>water still running after the flush;<\/li>\n      <li>a weak flush or slow refill;<\/li>\n      <li>a base that moves, or water around the foot;<\/li>\n      <li>smells at floor level, cracks in the cistern or pan.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/toilet-keeps-runnins-simple-checks-before-calling-a-plumber\/\">toilet that keeps running<\/a> is usually cheap to fix. A toilet that moves is not \u2014 that is the seal, and often the floor underneath it.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-drains\">6. Check the drains for slow flow, gurgling and smells<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Fill and empty basins, showers, baths and the kitchen sink. Listen as they empty.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>slow drainage or gurgling;<\/li>\n      <li>a sewage or rotten-egg smell;<\/li>\n      <li>water backing up;<\/li>\n      <li>several drains affected at once.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Several drains at once points at the main run rather than one trap. Worth reading on what the smells actually mean: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/bad-smells-coming-from-drains-what-they-usually-mean\/\">bad smells coming from drains<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/how-to-prevent-drain-clogs-in-kitchen-sinks-and-bathroom-pipes\/\">how to prevent drain clogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-hotwater\">7. Test hot water performance properly<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Time how long hot water takes to arrive, then leave it running for several minutes.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>slow to arrive, or never properly hot;<\/li>\n      <li>temperature swings while running;<\/li>\n      <li>runs out quickly, or the unit is noisy;<\/li>\n      <li>leaks, rust or staining near it.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Poor hot water can mean maintenance, a repair or a replacement \u2014 see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/hot-water-systems\/\">hot water systems service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-boiler\">8. Check the boiler, the heating and the gas installation<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Ask for the service history and inspection records <em>before<\/em> you look at the boiler itself. What is missing from the paperwork tells you more than the unit does.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>no records at all;<\/li>\n      <li>pressure that drops, or error codes;<\/li>\n      <li>noises, leaks or rust, poor hot water;<\/li>\n      <li>improvised ventilation or DIY modifications.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Noise on its own can be air, pressure, limescale, poor circulation or a worn component \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/boiler-making-strange-noises-common-causes\/\">what a noisy boiler usually means<\/a>. Gas work is not a DIY area in Spain and needs a qualified installer: see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/gas-installations\/\">gas installations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-stopcock\">9. Find the stopcock before you buy \u2014 and turn it<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Ask to be shown the internal stopcock, then actually turn it. Check for an external stopcock or meter box too, and for isolation valves on the toilets and appliances.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>nobody knows where it is;<\/li>\n      <li>it will not turn;<\/li>\n      <li>it turns but does not fully stop the water.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the day a pipe bursts, this is the single most important object in the property. If you only do one thing on this list, do this one \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/what-is-a-stopcock-and-why-every-homeowner-should-know-where-it-is\/\">what a stopcock is and why every owner should know where it is<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-outdoor\">10. Check outdoor taps, irrigation and pool-area plumbing<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Outdoor taps, the irrigation system, pool water connections, the pump room, external pipework, the meter box, terrace drains, outdoor showers.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <ul>\n      <li>wet soil with no reason for it;<\/li>\n      <li>a dripping tap or a cracked pipe;<\/li>\n      <li>rusty fittings;<\/li>\n      <li>damp at the base of an exterior wall.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Outside leaks run for months because nobody sees them from indoors \u2014 they show up on the bill instead. If there is a pool, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/pools\/\">pools and related water systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"chk-renovations\">11. Ask what the renovations actually replaced<\/h3>\n<div class=\"ppb-check\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell\">\n    <h4>Test<\/h4>\n    <p>Ask when the bathrooms were renovated, whether the pipework was replaced or only the fixtures, whether the kitchen plumbing was updated, and whether the boiler or water heater was changed.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-check__cell ppb-check__cell--flag\">\n    <h4>Red flag<\/h4>\n    <p>A beautifully renovated bathroom with the original pipes still behind the wall.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This is the most common trap in an older Spanish property: the visible half was replaced and the buried half was not. Ask for invoices, guarantees and who did the work. Work done by a licensed professional comes with paperwork; work that has no paperwork usually did not.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"risk\">How serious is what you found?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>Not everything on the list is a reason to renegotiate. This is roughly how the common findings rank.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-table\">\n  <table>\n    <thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Warning sign<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Possible meaning<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Risk<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">One dripping tap<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Worn washer, cartridge or valve<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--lo\">Low<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Low pressure in one tap<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Aerator, valve or local pipe<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--lo\">Low<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Damp under a sink<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Local leak or waste problem<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--md\">Medium<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Bad drain smells<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Dry trap, blockage, vent or sewer gas<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--md\">Medium<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Running toilet<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Fill valve, seal or flush mechanism<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--md\">Medium<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Low pressure throughout<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Scale, old pipes, supply issue or leak<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">No hot water<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Heater, boiler, power or gas<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Rusty water<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Corroded pipes or water heater<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Boiler pressure dropping<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Leak, valve or system problem<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Meter moving with taps off<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">A hidden leak somewhere<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Damp floor, no clear cause<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Hidden leak or slab leak<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n      <tr><th scope=\"row\" data-label=\"Sign\">Stopcock stuck<\/th><td data-label=\"Meaning\">Emergency shut-off may fail<\/td><td data-label=\"Risk\"><span class=\"ppb-pill ppb-pill--hi\">High<\/span><\/td><\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-note ppb-note--warn\">\n  <p><b>The one test that catches most of the expensive problems:<\/b> turn off every tap and appliance in the property, then go and look at the water meter. If it is still moving, water is leaving the system somewhere you cannot see. Do this before you sign anything.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"questions\">Questions to ask the seller or agent<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>Take this list to the viewing. The answers matter, but so does whether anyone can answer at all.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-qs\">\n  <ol>\n    <li>When was the plumbing last inspected?<\/li>\n    <li>Have any pipes been replaced, and which?<\/li>\n    <li>Is there a history of leaks or damp?<\/li>\n    <li>Where is the stopcock?<\/li>\n    <li>Does the stopcock actually work?<\/li>\n    <li>When was the boiler last serviced?<\/li>\n    <li>How old is the water heater?<\/li>\n    <li>Are there gas inspection or service records?<\/li>\n    <li>Are there recurring drain smells or blockages?<\/li>\n    <li>Has the property been empty for long periods?<\/li>\n    <li>Is there a water treatment system?<\/li>\n    <li>Are there warranties for recent plumbing work?<\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"costa-blanca\">What is different about Costa Blanca properties<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>Two things set properties here apart from the generic advice you will read about buying an old house.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-decide\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-decide__col ppb-decide__col--now\">\n    <p class=\"ppb-decide__h\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.9\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12 3c3.5 4 6 6.8 6 10a6 6 0 0 1-12 0c0-3.2 2.5-6 6-10Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      Hard water\n    <\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>limescale narrowing pipes and reducing flow;<\/li>\n      <li>taps, shower heads and valves furring up;<\/li>\n      <li>boilers, heaters and appliances losing efficiency;<\/li>\n      <li>higher maintenance over the life of the installation.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-decide__col ppb-decide__col--wait\">\n    <p class=\"ppb-decide__h\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.9\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M3 11.5 12 4l9 7.5\"><\/path><path d=\"M5.5 10v9.5h13V10\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      Properties left empty\n    <\/p>\n    <ul>\n      <li>drain traps drying out, so smells come back in;<\/li>\n      <li>a leak running for months with nobody there;<\/li>\n      <li>stopcocks and isolation valves seizing up;<\/li>\n      <li>boilers and heaters used only part of the year.<\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>On top of those: older villas with mixed pipework, renovated bathrooms hiding original pipes, outdoor taps and irrigation leaks, pool-area plumbing, and hidden leaks that only get discovered after the purchase. Hard water in particular is not a cosmetic issue here \u2014 see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/how-hard-water-affects-pipes-boilers-and-applicances-in-costa-blanca-homes\/\">how hard water affects pipes, boilers and appliances in Costa Blanca homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<a class=\"ppb-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/plumbing-maintenance-checklist-for-holiday-homes-in-calpe-and-costa-blanca\/\" style=\"display:block;background:#F5F7F8;border-radius:5px;padding:16px 20px;margin:24px 0 30px;text-decoration:none\">\n  <span class=\"ppb-more__lbl\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2BA6DE;color:#fff;font-size:12px;padding:2px 9px;border-radius:2px;margin-bottom:8px\">Read next<\/span>\n  <span class=\"ppb-more__txt\" style=\"display:block;font-size:16px;color:#3A3A3A;line-height:1.5\">Plumbing maintenance checklist for holiday homes in Calpe and the Costa Blanca<\/span>\n<\/a>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"inspection\">Is a plumbing inspection worth it before you buy?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<p>It is worth it when the property is older, has been renovated, has been standing empty, shows damp or low pressure anywhere, or comes with no boiler and plumbing records. Against the price of a property, an inspection is a rounding error; against the cost of repiping a villa after completion, it is nothing.<\/p>\n\n<p>What a plumber checks that you cannot:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>visible pipework, and how it has been joined and supported;<\/li>\n  <li>the stopcock and isolation valves, under test;<\/li>\n  <li>water pressure measured rather than guessed;<\/li>\n  <li>toilets, cisterns and drainage performance;<\/li>\n  <li>sink and appliance connections;<\/li>\n  <li>the boiler and water heater area;<\/li>\n  <li>signs of leaks, and limescale symptoms;<\/li>\n  <li>outdoor water points;<\/li>\n  <li>whether further leak detection is needed before you commit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>That last point is the one that matters most. A plumber&#8217;s job at this stage is not to fix anything \u2014 it is to tell you whether what you can see is the whole problem or the start of one.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-trust\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-trust__item\">\n    <b>Pre-purchase inspections<\/b>\n    <span>We inspect plumbing for buyers before completion across the Costa Blanca.<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-trust__item\">\n    <b>Our own guarantee<\/b>\n    <span>We offer our own comprehensive guarantee for the work we carry out.<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"ppb-trust__item\">\n    <b>136 Google reviews<\/b>\n    <span>Verified reviews from customers across the Costa Blanca.<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/.ppb-body -->\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2>Related Services<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-svcs\">\n  <div class=\"ppb-svcs__grid\">\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/plumbing-services\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">Plumbing Services<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Everything we cover<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/general-plumbing\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">General Plumbing<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Pipework, leaks, repairs<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/hot-water-systems\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">Hot Water Systems<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Boilers and water heaters<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/water-treatment\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">Water Treatment<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Hard water and limescale<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/gas-installations\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">Gas Installations<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Certified gas work<\/span><\/a>\n    <a class=\"ppb-svc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.100percentplumbing.com\/100-construction\/\"><span class=\"ppb-svc__t\">100% Construction<\/span><span class=\"ppb-svc__d\">Renovation and building work<\/span><\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-areas\" style=\"background:#F5F7F8;border-radius:5px;padding:20px 24px;margin:28px 0\">\n  <span class=\"ppb-areas__k\">Where we work<\/span>\n  <p>Calpe \u00b7 Benissa \u00b7 Moraira \u00b7 Teulada \u00b7 Benitachell \u00b7 Javea \u00b7 Denia \u00b7 Jalon \u00b7 Pedreguer \u00b7 Ondara \u00b7 Pego \u00b7 Orba \u00b7 and the rest of the Marina Alta<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-sec\"><h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>What plumbing problems should I check before buying an older property in Spain?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Water pressure at several taps, the condition of visible pipework, under every sink, damp patches and hidden leaks, the toilets, how the drains run, hot water performance, the boiler and gas installation, the stopcock, the outdoor taps and irrigation, and what previous renovations actually replaced.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>Should I get a plumbing inspection before buying a house in Spain?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Yes, particularly if the property is older, has been renovated, has stood empty, shows damp or low pressure, or has no boiler and plumbing maintenance records.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>Can old pipes cause problems after buying a property?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Yes. They can cause leaks, low pressure, rusty water, damp and repeated repairs. Patched or mixed pipework tends to become less reliable over time, not more.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>How do I know if a property has a hidden leak?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Damp patches, musty smells, low pressure, the sound of running water, a water meter that moves when every tap is off, a warm area of floor, or unexplained stains.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>Why does hard water matter when buying on the Costa Blanca?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Hard water builds limescale in pipes, taps, boilers, heaters and appliances. It reduces flow, lowers efficiency and raises maintenance costs over the life of the installation.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>Where is the stopcock in an older Spanish property?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>Usually near where the water supply enters the property: under the kitchen sink, by the meter, in a utility area, a garage, a bathroom cupboard, or an external meter box.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"ppb-faq__item\">\n<summary>Who can check the plumbing before I buy on the Costa Blanca?<\/summary>\n<div class=\"ppb-faq__a\"><p>A qualified plumber can inspect pipework, pressure, drains, toilets, valves, the boiler, the hot water system and the signs of hidden leaks before you commit to the purchase.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n<div class=\"ppb-close\" style=\"background:#1B3A8F;background:linear-gradient(90deg,#1B3A8F 0%,#2BA6DE 100%);border-radius:5px;padding:34px 32px;margin:40px 0 0;color:#E4F3FB\">\n  <h2 style=\"color:#fff;font-weight:300;line-height:1.4;margin:0 0 12px;text-align:left\">Buying a property and want the plumbing checked first?<\/h2>\n  <p style=\"color:#E4F3FB;max-width:560px;margin:0 0 22px\">We inspect plumbing for buyers before completion \u2014 pipework, pressure, drains, boiler, hot water and the signs of hidden leaks. 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Plumbing Problems to Check First\"}\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\n      \"headline\":\"Buying an Older Property in Spain? 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