What should I inspect in a boarding kennel’s drains, runs and heating?

Start with the drains. Pour water at the far end of each run and watch where it goes. Slow drains, pooling, or a smell that cleaning does not remove point to a problem under the floor, and that kind of repair is rarely small. Ask who maintains the drain lines and when they were last cleared or scoped.

Next, look at the runs themselves. Check the floor coating for cracks where water and waste can seep in, the gates and latches for wear, and the dividers for anywhere a dog could slip a paw or a jaw. Chewed or rusted metal is a safety issue as well as a cost.

Heating deserves the most attention in a kennel. Find out what heats each space, whether it is radiant floor, forced air or heat lamps, and whether every zone holds temperature overnight. Ask how the seller handled the last hard cold spell. Request invoices for repairs and servicing, and bring in a heating contractor and a plumber to look at anything the seller cannot document. Your lawyer can tell you how to protect yourself if problems surface after closing. Photograph what you find, and keep a list of every item you want fixed or priced before you make an offer.

Key takeaways

• Run water through every drain and watch for slow flow, pooling or lingering smells.
• Check floor coating, latches and dividers for wear that could hurt a dog.
• Ask for service records on heating, then have a tradesperson test each zone.