Are you happy to be a new homeowner? Well done! It’s a relief to own your home and not answer to a landlord. Still, homeownership includes all sorts of new responsibilities. For instance, you are now responsible for keeping the pipes and plumbing fixtures in good shape.
The last thing you want is to deal with a plumbing problem just after moving in, so it’s sensible to make sure everything is squared away before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be aware of.
Once you find your dream home, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional plumbing inspection. This can reveal previously hidden issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have known about. Weak water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s best to clear up these problems before moving in.
Your home’s pipes can freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner should have to deal with that, so check all exposed pipes before you move in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an excellent preventive measure for frozen and burst pipes.
Shutting off the water to your house can significantly reduce property damage if you have a major emergency like a burst pipe. But you must first know where the valve is located.
If your home has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is most likely found on a wall along the front of the house. If the building is on a slab foundation, take a look in the garage or near the water heater.
Still no luck? The shutoff valve is occasionally located in a utility box buried around the street. Try to find a round or rectangular metal cover flush with the grass or sidewalk. It may be labeled “water meter” to help you find it.
If you still can’t find the primary water shutoff valve, call a plumber for help locating it before you have a crisis.
Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances should have dedicated valves entering the wall behind them. This enables you to turn off the water while working on repairs or to reduce damage in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of these valves when you buy a new house.
Water damage is a common concern relating to plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also empty your wallet. For example, a single drip each second wastes more than 1,600 gallons each year. To prevent this, watch for the telltale signs of plumbing leaks in your new home:
Despite what you may have heard, chemical drain openers don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can damage your pipes if used continuously. In addition, they only offer a temporary solution at best.
A safer alternative is to have non-chemical supplies available the next time you have a plumbing crisis. These include:
Anything that flows down the drain apart from water could cause a clog. Keep your drains flowing smoothly with these preventive tips:
While our plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems at bay, it’s always smart to know a reliable plumber in town. For quality, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.
We have Experts across North America to serve customers from coast to coast. When you call our licensed plumbers for the job, you can rest assured that every repair and installation job is backed by a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office to arrange plumbing services with us today.
Student loan debt in the United States has been a growing problem for years. Today’s total student debt soars over $1.7 trillion, with the average college graduate owing $20,000 to $25,000. If you’re considering your academic journey or advising someone who is, it’s important to weigh the... Continue reading
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance it’s because you just had a breathtakingly cold shower or turned on the faucet and there wasn’t any hot water. It’s an irritating state of affairs, but don’t stress. Learning the most frequent things that leave you with no hot water is... Continue reading
Did you just try to flush your toilet, and nothing happened? Glance within the tank, and you might see no water inside. Before you stress, relax knowing that fixing this challenge is usually simple. If you can’t complete this yourself, you can always schedule toilet repair with an Expert... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.