8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you happy to be a new homeowner? Congrats! It’s a relief to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nonetheless, homeownership includes lots of new responsibilities. For example, you are now accountable for keeping your 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 smart to confirm everything is squared away before closing day. Here are eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be aware of. 

1. Request a Plumbing Inspection

Once you find your dream home, it’s smart to get a professional plumbing inspection. This can reveal underlying issues with the supply lines, fixtures, appliances and drains you may not have known about. Poor water pressure or a slow toilet leak won’t always be a deal-breaker, but it’s better to take care of these problems before you settle in. 

2. Try to find any Pipe Insulation

Your home’s pipes could freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner should have to deal with that, so take a look at all exposed pipes before moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this inexpensive 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 greatly reduce property damage if you have a major emergency such as 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 placed on a wall near 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 sometimes located in a utility box buried close to the street. Try to find 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 track down 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 entering the wall behind them. This allows you to turn off the water while completing repairs or to minimize damage in an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of every valve anytime you buy a new house. 

5. Understand the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

Water damage is the greatest concern regarding plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also drain your wallet. Consider that just one drip every second wastes more than 1,600 gallons annually. To prevent this, watch for any 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 
• Wobbly toilet 

• Water stains on the ceilings and walls 
• Lasting 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 damage your pipes if used continuously. What’s more, they only offer a temporary solution 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 backed up sinks, tubs and showers 
• Flange plunger for clogged toilets 
• Hand-crank drain snake for small 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 is on the way 

7. Prevent Clogged Drains from Day One

Whatever flows down the drain aside from water could cause a clog. Run your drains running smoothly with these preventive tips: 

• Install mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers 

• Don’t flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and a small amount of toilet paper 
• Don’t pour cooking grease down the drain 
• Pour a large pot of near-boiling water down every drain once a month 

8. Keep a Plumber on Speed Dial 

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

We have Experts across North America to assist customers from coast to coast. When you choose our certified plumbers for the job, you can enjoy the peace of mind 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 arrange plumbing services with us today.