Are you happy to be a new homeowner? Congratulations! It’s thrilling to own your home and not answer to a landlord. Nevertheless, homeownership presents plenty of new responsibilities. For instance, 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 issue right after moving in, so it’s sensible to make sure everything is squared away before closing day. Check out these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should know.
Once you settle on your dream home, it’s wise to get a professional plumbing inspection. This reveals underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have known about. Low water pressure or a slow toilet leak won’t always be a deal-breaker, but it’s nice to take care of these problems before moving in.
Your home’s pipes could 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 inexpensive upgrade is an effective preventive measure against frozen and burst pipes.
Turning 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 the property has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is probably situated on a wall near 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 sometimes located in a utility box buried near the street. Look for a round or rectangular metal cover flush with the grass or sidewalk. It may 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.
Alongside the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances should have dedicated valves entering the wall behind them. This allows you to turn off the water while making repairs or to mitigate damage during an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of these valves anytime you buy a new house.
Water damage is a common concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also drain your wallet. Consider that just one drip per second wastes more than 1,600 gallons each year. To prevent this, watch for these signs of plumbing leaks in your new home:
Despite what you may think, chemical drain openers don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can harm your pipes if used repeatedly. Plus, they only offer a temporary solution at best.
An effective alternative is to have non-chemical supplies available the next time you have a plumbing emergency. These include:
Anything that flows down the drain aside from water can cause a clog. Keep your drains flowing smoothly with these preventive tips:
While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems at bay, it’s still sensible to know a reliable plumber in your area. For reliable, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Levy & Son 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 rest easy that every repair and installation job is backed by a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact your local Levy & Son Service Experts office to schedule plumbing services with us today.
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