6 Plumbing Basics for First-Time Homeowners

Are you new to homeownership? Then it’s important to spend some time familiarizing yourself with all your household systems—and that includes the plumbing.

We’re not saying you need to become an accomplished plumber. We’re just saying you should understand the fundamentals of plumbing maintenance and care—which should make it less likely that you’ll need to call a plumber!

We’ve boiled down our first-time homeowner plumbing advice into six simple rules. Read on for a quick crash course—Plumbing 101!

Our 6 Plumbing Pointers for New Homeowners

The first thing you need to know: There is no such thing as a small plumbing problem. Small problems turn into big problems if they’re not taken care of. A leaky faucet may seem like it’s just an annoyance, but it can lead to corrosion, rust, mold, mildew, and more. So even if you spot a plumbing problem that seems trivial, it’s vital that you address it promptly!
As such, vigilance is key. You can’t ignore your home plumbing systems, as much as you might like to! Take some time for regular plumbing inspections, looking and listening for the telltale signs of leaks. Again: The sooner you diagnose and address problems, the less the damage will be.
Even if you are vigilant, problems can happen, and they can happen suddenly—which makes it important to know where to turn off your water. You have a main shut-off valve somewhere in your home, and it’s important to know where it is. This can prevent you from having a flood on your hands, should some major plumbing catastrophe occur.
On a related note, know how to shut off the water to your appliances—toilets, the icemaker, the washing machine, and so forth. Should any of these appliances ever start giving you grief, you’re going to want to know how to simply shut off their water supply.
Of special importance to our Canadian friends: Cold weather brings its own set of plumbing concerns, specifically the threat of frozen pipes. Take precautions to keep your pipes insulated at the first sign of cold weather.
Our final tip: Know your limitations. There are some small plumbing projects you can learn to do on your own, and others that are better left to the professionals.