More home buyer plumbing tips today. * Check the date of the water heater. The first four numbers of the serial number on the water heater are the month and year. * Any water heater over 15 years old is a candidate for replacement. * Check washing machine hoses for rupture and turn valves on and off to test for leaks. * Walk around the yard and check for excessive standing water, as it may be coming from a damaged sewer line and is not healthy for children or pets. * Another sign of water seepage in the yard is unusual plant or grass growth in certain areas. * If you are planning on purchasing a home, you may want to have a video inspection of the underground sewer pipe to look for roots or old collapsed clay or concrete sewer pipe because it can cost thousands of dollars to replace. De Hart Plumbing, serving Manhattan Kansas, Junction City Kansas and Wamego Kansas.