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. Nonetheless, homeownership presents lots of new responsibilities. For instance, you are now accountable for keeping the pipes and plumbing fixtures in good condition. 

The last thing you want is to be faced with a plumbing problem just after moving in, so it’s sensible to make sure everything is ready to go before closing day. Check out 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 get a professional plumbing inspection. This reveals underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you might not have known about. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s nice 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 check all exposed pipes before you move in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this inexpensive upgrade is a valuable preventive measure against 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 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. Search for a round or rectangular metal cover close to the grass or sidewalk. It may be labeled “water meter” to help you find it. 

If you still can’t track down the main water shutoff valve, call a plumber for help locating it before you have a critical plumbing problem on your hands. 

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances will have dedicated valves on the wall behind them. This enables you to shut off the water while making repairs or to mitigate damage after 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 per second wastes more than 1,600 gallons each year. To prevent this, keep an eye out for any signs of plumbing leaks in your home: 

• Dripping or bubbling sounds 
• Steeper water bills 
• Changes in the water meter readings despite not using any water 
• Standing water, wood rot or mold growth under your sinks 
• Wobbly toilet 

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

6. Get 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 harm your pipes if used over and over. What’s more, they only offer a temporary remedy at best. 

A safer 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 mitigate the flow of a plumbing leak until a plumber arrives 

7. Avoid Clogged Drains from Day One

Whatever flows down the drain apart from water could lead to a clog. Run your drains flowing smoothly with these preventive tips: 

• Install mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers 

• Never flush anything down the toilet besides human waste and a small amount of toilet paper 
• Never pour cooking grease down the drain 
• Pour a large pot of near-boiling water into every drain monthly 

8. Have a Plumber on Speed Dial 

While our plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems under control, it’s always sensible to know a reliable plumber in the area. For reliable, 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 call our certified plumbers for the job, you can rest assured 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 schedule plumbing services with us today.