Are you happy to be a new homeowner? Congratulations! It’s a relief to own a home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nonetheless, homeownership comes with lots of new responsibilities. For instance, you are now in charge of keeping the pipes and plumbing fixtures in good shape.
The last thing you want is to resolve a plumbing issue right after moving in, so it’s wise to confirm everything is ready to go before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be familiar with.
1. Request a Plumbing Inspection
Once you settle on your dream home, it’s smart to schedule a professional plumbing inspection. This can uncover underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you might not have been aware of. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s best to clear up these problems before moving in.
2. Check for Pipe Insulation
Your home's pipes can freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner wants to deal with that, so inspect all exposed pipes before you move in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is a valuable 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 a major emergency like a burst pipe. But you must first know where the valve is found.
If your home has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is most likely placed 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. Try to find a round or rectangular metal cover close to the grass or sidewalk. It might 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 an emergency.
4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves
Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances should have dedicated valves on the wall behind them. This allows you to shut off the water while working on repairs or to minimize damage during an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of these valves when you buy a new house.
5. Recognize the Signs of a Plumbing Leak
Water damage is the greatest concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also empty your wallet. Consider that one drip per 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
- A spike in water bills
- Changes in the water meter readings despite not using any water
- Standing water, wood rot or mold growth under the sinks
- Loose 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 don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These potent cleaners can harm your pipes if used continuously. In addition, they only offer a temporary solution at best.
A safer alternative is to have non-chemical supplies available 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 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 mitigate the flow of a plumbing leak until a plumber arrives
7. Avoid Clogged Drains from Day One
Anything that flows down the drain apart from water can cause a clog. Run your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips:
- Place mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers
- Do not flush anything down the toilet besides human waste and a small amount of toilet paper
- Do not pour cooking oil down the drain
- Pour a large pot of near-boiling water in every drain monthly
8. Put a Plumber on Speed Dial
While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems from happening, it’s always smart to know a reliable plumber in town. For quality, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than San Antonio Air 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 San Antonio Air Service Experts office to arrange plumbing services with us today.