8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you excited to be a new homeowner? Congratulations! It’s thrilling to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Still, homeownership includes all sorts of new responsibilities. For one, you are now responsible for keeping the 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 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 schedule a professional plumbing inspection. This reveals 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 might not be a deal-breaker, but it’s better to clear up these problems before you settle in. 

2. Look for 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 moving in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an excellent 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 encounter a major emergency like a burst pipe. But you must first know where the valve is found. 

If the property has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is probably placed on a wall along 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 around the street. Search for a round or rectangular metal cover by the grass or sidewalk. It might 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 crisis. 

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

Alongside the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances will have dedicated valves for the wall behind them. This enables you to turn off the water while working on repairs or to mitigate damage after an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of all plumbing valves anytime you buy a new house. 

5. Understand the Signs of a Plumbing Leak

Water damage is a common concern associated with plumbing leaks, but a leaky faucet can also drain your wallet. Consider that one drip every second wastes more than 1,600 gallons per year. To prevent this, watch for the telltale signs of plumbing leaks in your new home: 

• Dripping or bubbling sounds 
• High water bills 
• Changing 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. Stock a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit

Despite what you may think, chemical drain openers don’t belong in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can damage your pipes if used continuously. Plus, they only offer a temporary solution at best. 

A safer alternative is to have non-chemical supplies on hand the next time you have a plumbing emergency. 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 arrives 

7. Avoid Clogged Drains from Day One

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

• Put in mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers 

• Don’t flush anything down the toilet besides human waste and a small amount of toilet paper 
• Never pour cooking oil down the kitchen sink 
• Pour a large pot of near-boiling water into every drain each month 

8. Keep a Plumber on Speed Dial 

While our plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems from happening, it’s still sensible to know a reliable plumber in your area. For reliable, affordable work, there’s no better place to turn than Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

We have Experts across North America to support our customers from coast to coast. When you contact 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 schedule plumbing services with us today.