If the leaks were from polybutylene pipe, you need to find out if ALL the plumbing between the walls was replaced with copper after the final payment to each affected homeowner in the state in the settlement of the class-action suit (1994).
If only the “visible” plumbing was replaced, or partial plumbing replaced in only the wall that burst, I would not buy the property.
Just my .02.
edit: Canadian, what is the exact year this home was built? This info will clarify things. Thx.[/quote]
Thanks a lot bearishgurl. The home was built in 1976, and the pipings are copper. The owner at the time of the repairs has passed away, and the insurance adjuster is not providing us with more details. It seems the leaks were mostly related to the bathroom.
I guess when you buy an old house you should expect to deal with these situations. But then what we look for in a house is hard to find in new constructions :)[/quote]
IIRC, polybutylene wasn’t used in tract construction in SD County until 1978, so you’re in the clear.
Actually, a house built in 1976 isn’t that old. Nearly all of the City of SD had been built out by then, except possibly 92139 and other later-annexed zip codes which are not completely contiguous to the City (i.e. MM, RB, PQ, Scripps still had land left in 1976).
Just curious, Canadian, does the house have a sunken living room oriented towards the rear of the house with large windows or 2 sliding glass doors facing the backyard? Is there a (flagstone?) foyer raised a step from the living room and at least 20′ wide? Does it have a double (French) front door? Is there a floor-to-ceiling brick or stone FP with a raised hearth between the two sliding glass doors or large windows?
I’m thinking of early/mid 70’s ranch-style houses which are only available in two (poss 3) zip codes in the City of SD that I know of. I absolutely LOVE this type of home which is far more prevalent in other southwestern states than SoCal. All the ceilings are a standard 8′ foot high and if there is a vault in the sunken LR, it is typically done in cedar and the vault is 18″ or less. (No “styrofoam” rough-hewn dark beams … that was a little later.)
Many ’70’s era ranch homes have great bones and a nice-sized lot! So, so unlike the econoboxes built on small lots in recent years.
Congrats on finding the home of your dreams! (Even if you have to remove accoustical ceiling, lol.) I think it’s pretty tough out there for today’s SD County buyers due to prospective equity sellers staying out of the market en masse.
