My Controversial “Bath Rule” Has Changed the Way I Look at Homes

One of the first problems my husband and I dealt with in our new home was a flooded basement. It happened just three days after we moved in. My husband took a bath, and as the tub drained the pressure of the draining water caused a pipe to separate in the basement and flood our downstairs bathroom and laundry room. Looking back, I’ve realized this entire problem could have been avoided if I had just done one thing: run a bath before renting or buying a home.

According to our plumber, here’s what happened. The couple that owned the home before us probably never took baths — only showers. During the inspection, it seemed like all was right with the pipe because it hadn’t separated. When the force from a tub full of water pushed into the pipes, they separated and caused the flood. So unless we had run a bath prior to buying, we would not have foreseen this problem. 

This made me think up what I call the “draw-a-bath” rule, in which you run a bath during the showing. However, according to Cheryl Hodges, a Morningstar Investment Group real estate agent in Georgia and Maryland, following this “bath rule” during a showing probably isn’t the best time to do it. 

“As a real estate agent, the best time to fill up a tub is during the due diligence period, at the home inspection, or during the days after,” she told me. “Running a bunch of plumbing fixtures during a showing or a home tour prior to making an offer is not recommended.”

Sain Rhodes, a real estate expert with Clever Offers, agreed. “A showing is more about getting a sense of the space, and sellers expect minimal water use,” she says. “Taking a quick test shower is one thing, but to fill an entire tub without first requesting permission might be invasive.”

Rhodes and Hodges both agree that it wasn’t a given that the inspector would find the pipe separation, which is something I expected from the company we used. The inspector’s job is to do a general home check, not to dive deep into things like plumbing. A really high-quality inspector may have caught the issue beforehand, but no promises.

Hodges suggests having an electrician and a plumber come out to inspect the home prior to buying as well, especially if it’s an older property. (This is also something I can vouch for — our house is more than 100 years old, and we had to redo all the electricity, too!) Ultimately, though, you never truly know what issues might come up once you live in the property.

“Such is the nature of homeownership,” Hodges says. “A good agent will advise their client to have some savings on hand and a good home warranty to cover any expenses that may arise after moving in.”

Rhodes and Hodges suggest keeping an eye out for other potential red flags during showings and inspections — things like mold, water stains, cracks in fixtures, loose faucets, peeling paint along baseboards, a damp odor, rust on pipes, and low water pressure. Test those faucets and showers, on every floor!