Are you excited to be a new homeowner? Well done! It’s thrilling to own your home and not answer to a landlord. Nevertheless, homeownership includes lots of new responsibilities. For example, you are now responsible for keeping any pipes and plumbing fixtures in good working order.
The last thing you want is to resolve a plumbing concern right after moving in, so it’s smart to confirm everything is in good shape before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be familiar with.
1. Request a Plumbing Inspection
Once you pick out your dream home, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional plumbing inspection. This reveals underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have been aware of. Low water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s better to resolve these problems before you move in.
2. Try to find any Pipe Insulation
Your home's pipes may freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner has time to deal with that, so inspect all exposed pipes before moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an excellent preventive measure for frozen and burst pipes.
3. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Shutting off the water to your house can greatly reduce property damage if you have to deal with 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 probably 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. Look for a round or rectangular metal cover by the grass or sidewalk. It may be labeled “water meter” to help you identify it.
If you still can’t find 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 should have dedicated valves entering the wall behind them. This enables you to turn 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 relating to 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, watch for any signs of plumbing leaks in your 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 the sinks
- Wobbly toilet
- Water stains on the ceilings and walls
- Lingering musty odors
6. Stock a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit
Despite what you may have heard, chemical drain openers shouldn't go in a plumbing emergency kit. These corrosive cleaners can damage your pipes if used repeatedly. Plus, they only offer a temporary solution at best.
An effective alternative is to have non-chemical supplies on hand the next time you have a plumbing disaster. These include:
- Cup plunger for clogged sinks, tubs and showers
- Flange plunger for clogged toilets
- Hand-crank drain snake for minor 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 arrives
7. Prevent Clogged Drains from Day One
Anything that flows down the drain besides water could cause a clog. Run your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips:
- Install mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers
- Never flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and a small amount of toilet paper
- Do not pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink
- Pour a large pot of near-boiling water into every drain each month
8. Keep a Plumber on Speed Dial
While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems from happening, it’s still smart to know a reliable plumber in town. For reliable, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Atmostemp Service Experts.
We have locations across North America to support our customers from coast to coast. When you choose our certified plumbers for the job, you can enjoy the peace of mind that every repair and installation job is backed by a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Get in touch with your local Atmostemp Service Experts office to arrange plumbing services with us today.