8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners
Are you ready to be a new homeowner? Well done! It’s thrilling to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nonetheless, homeownership presents plenty of new responsibilities. For example, you are now in charge of keeping your pipes and plumbing fixtures in good shape.
The last thing you want is to resolve a plumbing concern just after moving in, so it’s sensible to make sure everything is in good shape before closing day. Here are eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be familiar with.
1. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection
Once you find your dream home, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional plumbing inspection. This reveals previously hidden issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you might not have known about. Low water pressure or a slow toilet leak won’t always be a deal-breaker, but it’s nice to clear up these problems before moving in.2. Check for Pipe Insulation
Your pipes may freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner has time to deal with that, so take a look at all exposed pipes before moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this inexpensive upgrade is an excellent preventive measure against frozen and burst pipes.3. Find the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Shutting off the water to your house can significantly reduce property damage if you have a major emergency such as a burst pipe. But you must first know where the valve is located. If the house has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is probably situated 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 close to the street. Try to find a round or rectangular metal cover flush with the grass or sidewalk. It could be labeled “water meter” to help you find it. If you still can’t track down the primary water shutoff valve, call a plumber for help locating it before you have a crisis.4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves
Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances will have dedicated valves for the wall behind them. This allows you to shut off the water while working on repairs or to mitigate damage after an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of every valve when you buy a new house.5. Recognize the Signs of a Plumbing Leak
Water damage is a common concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also drain your wallet. Consider that a single drip every second wastes more than 1,600 gallons each year. To prevent this, look for these signs of plumbing leaks in your new home:-
- Dripping or bubbling sounds
-
- A spike in water bills
-
- Changing water meter readings despite not using any water
-
- Standing water, wood rot or mold growth under your sinks
-
- Loose toilet
-
- Water stains on the ceilings and walls
-
- Lasting musty odors
6. Stock a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit
Despite what you may think, chemical drain openers don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These potent cleaners can damage your pipes if used over and over. Plus, they only offer a temporary solution at best. A better alternative is to have non-chemical supplies close by the next time you have a plumbing emergency. These include:-
- Cup plunger for backed up 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 is on the way
7. Avoid Clogged Drains from Day One
Anything that flows down the drain apart from water could lead to a clog. Run your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips:-
- Put in mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers
-
- Never flush anything down the toilet besides human waste and a small amount of toilet paper
-
- Never pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink
-
- Pour a large pot of near-boiling water into every drain each month
