8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you ready to be a new homeowner? Congrats! It’s exhilarating to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nevertheless, homeownership comes with 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 deal with a plumbing concern immediately after moving in, so it’s sensible to make sure everything is ready to go before closing day. Here are eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be aware of.

1. Consider a Plumbing Inspection

Once you settle on your dream home, it’s wise to get a professional plumbing inspection. This can uncover underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have known about. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s best 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 inspect all exposed pipes before moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an effective preventive measure for frozen and burst pipes.

3. Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Turning off the water to your house can significantly reduce property damage if you encounter a major emergency like 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 most likely found on a wall close to the front of the house. If the building is on a slab foundation, check the garage or near the water heater.

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

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

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

In addition to the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances will have dedicated valves on the wall behind them. This allows you to turn off the water while making repairs or to reduce damage in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of every valve whenever you buy a new house.

5. Know the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

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 per year. To prevent this, watch for the telltale signs of plumbing leaks in your home:

• • Dripping or bubbling sounds

• • High water bills

• • Changes in the 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

• • Lasting musty odors

6. Purchase 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 frequently. Plus, they only offer a temporary solution at best.

A safer alternative is to have non-chemical supplies close by the next time you have a plumbing emergency. 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 stem the flow of a plumbing leak until a plumber can help

7. Prevent Clogged Drains from Day One

Anything that flows down the drain besides water could cause a clog. Keep your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips:

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

• • Don’t flush anything down the toilet besides 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 once a month

8. Have a Plumber on Speed Dial

While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems under control, it’s still smart to know a reliable plumber in town. For dependable, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

We have Experts across North America to support our customers from coast to coast. When you choose our licensed plumbers for the job, you can rest easy that every repair and installation job is backed by a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Get in touch with your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office to arrange plumbing services with us today.