Here's a checklist you can use to make your own pre-inspection of the pipes. There is no reason not to check your home for yourself before hiring a certified inspector.

This way you can compare notes and ask questions. He will give a full report on the condition of the house. Among what he found and what the inspector finds you will be able to take care of what needs to be done before putting your house on the market.

For now we focus on the plumbing, including bathrooms, laundry area, and water and septic systems.

* Look for signs of leaks in exposed pipes, even in areas where pipes pass through walls or foundations.

* Look for signs of corrosion, which could indicate a problem with water, or the tube itself. Is there green stains around brass and copper fittings and shutoff valves? This is a sign of any corrosion or a reaction that occurs with mismatched metals. If this is not corrected, will cause leaks and bad connections.

* Check the water pressure. Low pressure could mean a problem with the line or the accumulation of sediment in the faucet aerator or shower.

* Check gutters drain speed. A slow drain can say that there is an obstruction or blockage of the vent pipe. Find a whirlpool drain completely. Bubbling drains are a sign of a problem.

Toilets * to make sure they work as they should. Open up your tank and look for worn or missing parts. Wait a few minutes to see if the bath is run after a while. This is a sign of a slow leak.

* If you have a gas water heater, look into the burner chamber of rust flakes. Check the flame. It must be an even blue, not yellow. A yellow flame indicates the soot or a problem with the gas-air mixture. The jets may need cleaning.

* You may need help in this task next. It's a good idea to drain the water heater to remove sediment that has settled to the bottom. If you have an electric water heater, turn it off first or you burn the heating element.

* Check for cracked tiles in the shower area or around sinks. Tap the tiles to find the gaps that might be loose or rotten boards masking base behind them.

* Check the condition of the bathtub and shower caulking. Is it time to replace it?

* Search for evidence of rust where water has a chance to walk for longer periods of time.

* Check the base of the toilet to make sure no rock. There can be a leak that has damaged the soil around it.

* Look for cracks in the toilet tank or bowl sinks and also

* Slide shower doors to see if sticking or rusting. Check the gaskets around the glass door of the gaps or tears.

* Turn on the shower and bathroom faucets for leaks of gas around the handles and valves. Are they easy to use, or harder to turn on and off? Check any screws you see.

* Unscrew the shower head and look the sediments collected. This could reduce the water pressure.

* Examine the ventilation fans for obstructions or dust. If it sounds very strong when they are lit, the bearings can be worn or a trap may have jammed.

* Check washing machine hoses for signs of cracking, brittleness, or leaks.

* Check air vents for the dryer tears. Vacuum or brush the lint out in the pipe and around the screen in the dryer lint. Look for lint on the floor or wall, indicating that there is a blockage in the vent hose.

* If you have your own water well, send a sample of your water to your county Cooperative Extension test for chemicals and bacteria.

* Make sure the well cover is tightly sealed, but there is still access to the pump.

* Check the sump pump by pouring water on it to see if it turns on automatically.

* Look around your septic tank and field moist soil or vegetation lush.This may mean that the tank is full or not.

Be familiar with your home inside and out will give you an advantage in dealing with your home inspector and potential buyers.