For Buyers
Identify hidden leaks, drain issues and pipe deterioration before you sign. Use the findings to negotiate the price, require repairs before transfer, or walk away from a property with serious issues.
Pre-Purchase Plumbing & Leak Inspection
Buying a property in South Africa? A pre-purchase leak detection and plumbing inspection identifies hidden problems before transfer — so they're the seller's responsibility, not yours.
Why It Matters
The Costs You Don't See On Show Day
A property changes hands. The new owner moves in. Three weeks later the water bill comes back triple normal. A slab leak nobody mentioned has been running for months. Repair: R45 000. Reinstatement: another R30 000. Now it's the buyer's problem.
South African property law works on the voetstoots principle — the buyer takes the property as it is, hidden defects included, unless those defects were known to the seller and not disclosed. A pre-purchase inspection finds the problems while you still have negotiating leverage.
For Sellers
Inspect proactively before listing. Resolve issues on your terms, or disclose them honestly with documentation. Reduces post-transfer disputes and price chipping during final negotiations.
For Agents & Conveyancers
Recommend buyers obtain an inspection as part of their offer-to-purchase due diligence. Protects your client and reduces post-transfer comeback against your firm.
What's Inspected
The HydroTrace Pre-Purchase Inspection
Our standard pre-purchase inspection covers the items most likely to cause expensive post-transfer disputes.
- Water meter monitoring — confirms there's no hidden flow when all taps are closed
- Pressure decay testing on the main supply — identifies leaks not visible to the eye
- Visual inspection of accessible pipework, geyser installation, and isolation valves
- CCTV survey of the main sewer line from the house to the municipal connection
- Drain functionality testing on all internal fixtures
- Pool plumbing pressure test where applicable
- Damp inspection in high-risk areas — under sinks, bath surrounds, slab edges, ceiling cavities
- Hot-water cylinder visual check and basic functionality test
The inspection is non-invasive — no walls are opened, no tiles lifted, no concrete cut. Findings are presented in a written report with photographs and recommended actions.
What You Receive
The Inspection Report
Findings are categorised by severity so you can act on them in priority order.
Red — Must Fix
Active leaks, structural plumbing failures, immediate safety concerns. These should be resolved before transfer or factored into the offer.
Amber — Should Fix
Deteriorating conditions, end-of-life equipment, work that doesn't meet current standards. Significant but not urgent.
Green — Monitor
Items working correctly but worth keeping an eye on. Useful for maintenance planning after transfer.
PIRB & Compliance
Plumbing Compliance Certificates
Several South African municipalities require a Plumbing Industry Registration Board (PIRB) Certificate of Compliance for property transfers. The certificate confirms the plumbing installation meets SANS 10254 and SANS 10252 standards.
HydroTrace works with PIRB-registered plumbing partners to issue compliance certificates following a pre-purchase inspection.
R1,650Call-out from (residential)
24-48hInsurance-ready report
24/7Emergency commercial line