Five Plumbing Tips for First-Time Homeowners
Spring is traditionally a season in which many people purchase homes—many of them for the very first time. Being a first-time homeowner is exciting, but of course it can also be daunting; you have an awful lot to learn about the real estate sales process, about mortgages, about home inspections and insurance—and also about household repairs. That includes plumbing.
Yes: If you’re buying your first home, it means you’re about to become the owner of your first plumbing system. This might seem a little daunting—sooner or later, there’s going to be some kind of plumbing issue you’ve got to fix—but we can help you get your bearings with a few quick tips and words of advice.
Have the Home Inspected
First and foremost, you want to make sure you’re not buying a home that already has a ton of plumbing problems. We strongly recommend having the home professionally inspected before you sign on the bottom line. Also, as you’re walking through homes, be on the lookout for discolored spots on ceilings or walls—which would denote leaks, and, thus, plumbing issues.
Newer Usually Means Less Work
A related note: Newer homes are usually going to have better plumbing systems, with less maintenance needed. That’s not to say that all new homes are going to have excellent plumbing, but the wear and tear on plumbing and pipes, found in older homes, is definitely something to keep in mind.
Learning on Your Own
While there will surely come a day when you need to call in a professional plumber, there are some minor repairs and maintenance tasks you can do on your own. We encourage new homeowners to spend some time reading our blog and also checking YouTube tutorials, learning to perform a few basic DIY plumbing tasks.
Proper Tools
In order to make some DIY home plumbing repairs, you’ll need to have the right tools. This is a smart investment; the right tools will make your projects much more effective and easy. Do some online shopping to find the best prices on basic plumbing tools—including some pliers, a multi-size wrench, a good big bucket, and so on.
Knowing a Plumber
Finally, recognize that not even the handiest of handymen can handle all home plumbing emergencies on their own—and that it is important to have the number of a good local plumber handy. We invite Vancouver homeowners to keep us in mind for all of their home plumbing needs!
