There really is no greater feeling than being able to buy your first home simply because you finally feel as though you’ve officially grown up. That said, homeowners as a whole can agree that perhaps the most stress they feel in life is related to their home’s well-being, namely their plumbing system.
For most, your home’s plumbing system is nothing more than the system of pipes that gets water in and out of your house. Therein, however, lies the issue. Most people don’t give their plumbing system a second thought until something goes wrong. From that point on, the stress of knowing that a plumbing disaster could take place makes homeowners lose a lot of sleep.
This shouldn’t keep people from wanting to purchase a home. So, if you are in the market for their first home, it is important to maintain at least a working buyer’s guide to better understand a home’s plumbing.
First of all, professional plumbers unanimously agree that the most important thing you need to know is how to shut-off the water both to each individual fixture in the house, as well as to the entire home. If there is one thing to remember when your plumbing goes off the rails, it’s that you want to be sure to keep the chances of water damage to a minimum. It’s also important to keep in mind that you don’t have to have a disaster on your hands. If you’re replacing a fixture, faucet, or any water supply lines, shutting the water off at the source rather than the whole house makes things easier for everyone in your home.
You also need to be sure that cultivate a regular maintenance schedule for your plumbing. While this sounds a little involved, it doesn’t have to be a detailed breakdown of every piece of your plumbing system. All you need to do is set a basic schedule for things you can do to help maintain your plumbing system even if you don’t have a working knowledge of all things plumbing. For example, make a point to clean your shower drains once a week to help keep hair & other yucky stuff from clogging up the pipes. You can also make it a point to clean your garbage disposal once a week to help keep odors down, as well as things moving.
If you’ve jumped into your first home purchase with the mindset of remodeling the bathrooms, the laundry room, and the kitchen, kudos to you. However, be aware that there are city codes for various types of construction and repair, including plumbing, that have to be cleared before a project begins. Moreover, there is also an inspection process to clear construction that has taken place. Even more stringent codes call for only professional tradesmen to do all labor.
Finally, as a first time homeowner, you need to have the number of a professional plumber close at hand to get in & take care of business when your plumbing system needs a pro’s touch. Take it as an opportunity to get to know your neighbors & ask them for recommendations. You could even ask for a plumber recommendation from your city or town’s utility office.