8 Plumbing Tips for New Homeowners 

Are you excited to be a new homeowner? Congrats! It’s thrilling to own your home and not have to deal with a landlord. Nevertheless, homeownership comes with all sorts of new responsibilities. For one, you are now in charge of keeping your 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 sensible to make sure everything is squared away before closing day. Consider these eight valuable plumbing tips every new homeowner should be familiar with. 

1. Schedule a Plumbing Inspection

Once you pick out your dream home, it’s wise to schedule 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. Weak water pressure or a slow toilet leak may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s best to take care of these problems before moving in. 

2. Look for Pipe Insulation

Your home’s pipes may freeze and burst if they’re exposed to cold temperatures. No new homeowner wants to deal with that, so check all exposed pipes before you move in. If the pipes aren’t insulated, this low-cost upgrade is an excellent 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 can be found. 

If the property has a basement or crawl space, the shutoff valve is probably found on a wall close to 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 sometimes located in a utility box buried close to the street. Look for a round or rectangular metal cover flush with the grass or sidewalk. It may be labeled “water meter” to help you identify it. 

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

4. Find Individual Shutoff Valves

Along with the main shutoff valve, most fixtures and appliances should have dedicated valves entering the wall behind them. This allows you to shut off the water while working on repairs or to mitigate damage during an emergency. Familiarize yourself with the location of all plumbing valves whenever 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 empty your wallet. Consider that just one drip per second wastes more than 1,600 gallons per year. To prevent this, keep an eye out for these 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 your sinks 
• Loose toilet 

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

6. Get a Basic Plumbing Emergency Kit

Despite what you may have heard, chemical drain openers shouldn’t go in a plumbing emergency kit. These caustic cleaners can harm your pipes if used repeatedly. 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 emergency. These include: 

• Cup plunger for backed up 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 reduce the flow of a plumbing leak until a plumber can help 

7. Prevent Clogged Drains from Day One

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

• Place mesh drain covers in bathroom sinks and showers 

• Do not flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and a small amount of toilet paper 
• Do not pour cooking grease down the drain 
• Pour a large pot of near-boiling water in every drain each month 

8. Keep a Plumber on Speed Dial 

While these plumbing tips for new homeowners should keep many problems from happening, it’s still smart 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 serve customers from coast to coast. When you call 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. Get in touch with your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office to request plumbing services with us today.