8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you ready to be a new homeowner? Well done! It’s a relief to own a home and not have to deal with a landlord. Still, homeownership includes all sorts of new responsibilities. For example, you are now responsible for keeping the pipes and plumbing fixtures in good condition. 

The last thing you want is to be faced with a plumbing issue immediately after moving in, so it’s wise to make sure everything is ready to go before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should know. 

1. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

Once you settle on your dream home, it’s wise to get a professional plumbing inspection. This can uncover previously hidden issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have been aware of. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak won’t always be a deal-breaker, but it’s nice to resolve these problems before you settle in. 

2. Try to find any Pipe Insulation

Your home’s pipes can 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 you move in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this inexpensive upgrade is an effective preventive measure against frozen and burst pipes. 

3. Find 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 probably situated on a wall near the front of the house. If the building is on a slab foundation, check in the garage or near the water heater. 

Still no luck? The shutoff valve is sometimes located in a utility box buried close to the street. Try to find a round or rectangular metal cover close to the grass or sidewalk. It could be labeled “water meter” to help you find it. 

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

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

Alongside the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances should have dedicated valves on the wall behind them. This enables you to shut off the water while completing repairs or to minimize damage after an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of all plumbing valves whenever you buy a new house. 

5. Know the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

Water damage is the greatest concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also drain your wallet. For example, just one drip each second wastes more than 1,600 gallons each year. To prevent this, look 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 
• Loose toilet 

• Water stains on the ceilings and walls 
• Lingering musty odors 

6. Get a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit

Despite what you may have heard, chemical drain openers don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can harm your pipes if used continuously. In addition, they only offer a temporary remedy at best. 

An effective alternative is to have non-chemical supplies on hand 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 is on the way 

7. Avoid Clogged Drains from Day One

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

• Install mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers 

• Don’t flush anything down the toilet aside from human waste and a small amount of toilet paper 
• Do not pour cooking grease down the kitchen sink 
• Pour a large pot of near-boiling water in 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 always wise to know a reliable plumber in the area. For dependable, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

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