8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you ready to be a new homeowner? Well done! It’s exhilarating to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nonetheless, homeownership includes lots of new responsibilities. For example, you are now accountable for keeping your pipes and plumbing fixtures in good working order.

The last thing you want is to be faced with a plumbing concern immediately after moving in, so it’s wise to make sure everything is ready to go before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should know.

1. Request a Plumbing Inspection

Once you pick out your dream home, it’s a good idea to get a professional plumbing inspection. This can uncover underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have noticed. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s better to clear up these problems before you move in.

2. Try to find any Pipe Insulation

The pipes could freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner should have to deal with that, so take a look at all exposed pipes before moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an effective preventive measure against frozen and burst pipes.

3. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Shutting off the water to your house can significantly reduce property damage if you encounter a major emergency such as a burst pipe. But you must first know where the valve can be found.

If your home has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is most likely found on a wall near the front of the house. If the building is on a slab foundation, check in the garage or near the water heater.

Still no luck? The shutoff valve is occasionally located in a utility box buried close to the street. Search for a round or rectangular metal cover close to the grass or sidewalk. It could be labeled “water meter” to help you identify it.

If you still can’t find the main water shutoff valve, call a plumber for help locating it before you have an emergency.

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances will have dedicated valves entering the wall behind them. This enables you to shut off the water while making repairs or to mitigate damage in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of every valve anytime you buy a new house.

5. Know the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

Water damage is the biggest concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also empty your wallet. Consider that one drip each second wastes more than 1,600 gallons annually. To prevent this, keep an eye out for the telltale signs of plumbing leaks in your home:

• • Dripping or bubbling sounds

• • Steeper water bills

• • Changing water meter readings despite not using any water

• • Standing water, wood rot or mold growth under your sinks

• • Wobbly toilet

• • Water stains on the ceilings and walls

• • Lingering musty odors

6. Stock a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit

Contrary to popular belief, chemical drain openers shouldn’t go in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can damage your pipes if used frequently. In addition, they only offer a temporary remedy at best.

An effective alternative is to have non-chemical supplies close by the next time you have a plumbing crisis. These include:

• • Cup plunger for clogged sinks, tubs and showers

• • Flange plunger for clogged toilets

• • Hand-crank drain snake for small blockages

• • Adjustable wrench to remove the P-trap from under clogged sinks

• • Utility bucket to catch water from a leaky pipe

• • Plumber’s tape to fix leaky showerheads

• • Duct tape to reduce the flow of a plumbing leak until a plumber can help

7. Prevent Clogged Drains from Day One

Whatever flows down the drain apart from water could cause a clog. Use your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips:

• • Put in mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers

• • Do not flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and a small amount of toilet paper

• • Don’t pour cooking grease down the kitchen sink

• • Pour a large pot of near-boiling water down every drain each month

8. Put a Plumber on Speed Dial

While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems under control, it’s still wise 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 assist customers from coast to coast. When you choose our certified 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.