Maintaining your home as a homeowner requires more than simply paying your mortgage on time and ensuring no major damage has been done to the exterior of your property. Knowing how to properly maintain your home’s plumbing work is essential to minimize the risk of a potential clog, backup, or a major flood in the home. When you want to ensure your plumbing is in proper working order, implementing a checklist for plumbing work can help you along the way. Using a checklist for plumbing work will not only help you to remain focused, but it will also help you avoid missing out on inspections and repairs that can significantly extend the lifespan of your current plumbing fixtures.

Why A Plumbing Inspection Matters

The ideal checklist for plumbing work will include basic and thorough inspections. Inspections of your water heaters or even of your well pump can provide valuable insight into the current condition of your plumbing fixtures and whether you require upgrades, repairs, or a complete replacement at any time. A plumbing inspection will help you to identify and pinpoint potential problem areas that may require special equipment, tools, or materials to repair. A plumbing inspection will also help you to gauge the current condition of all of your plumbing fixtures and any drains and sewer pipes that are also connected to your indoor system.

Reduced Water Bill

One of the biggest incentives for homeowners to inspect their plumbing is the ability to reduce their overall water bill. Whether you have standard drains in your home or if you’re working with French drains, a complete inspection can help determine if there are leaks, clogs, or other problems that may be contributing to a much higher water bill than usual. If you are also interested in water treatment solutions, it’s best to conduct a thorough inspection ahead of time. This will help you to determine the current quality of your water to find a solution that is best when moving ahead with any new plumbing installations, repairs, replacements, or installations.

Safety Purposes

Another reason you should always include a checklist for plumbing work when you are inspecting or updating your home’s plumbing is for pure safety purposes. Requesting a professional plumbing inspection for safety reasons will help to prevent potential leaks, mold growth, clogs, and other plumbing-related hazards that may cause adverse health effects or reactions in the home. Working with a professional plumber or local plumbing company is also a way for you to gain insight into the current system and setup you have in place. When you know how your home’s plumbing system works and is set up, it’s much easier to determine which course of action to take whenever you encounter an issue or a hangup that directly involves your plumbing itself.

Minimize the Risk of Emergency Repairs

If you choose to call plumbers ahead of time to schedule regular inspections, you will minimize the risk of emergency repairs. If you want to steer clear of having to call up a local emergency plumber for a leak, flooding, or even for a water well pump repair, regularly scheduled inspections are a must. Scheduled inspections will not only help to minimize major issues from occurring when it comes to your home’s plumbing, but they will also provide you with insight into the current condition of your plumbing and what you can expect in the next few years.

Inspect Walls and Ceilings

When it comes to referencing a checklist for plumbing work, it’s important to take the time to inspect all the walls and ceilings throughout your home, especially if they are connected or linked to your plumbing pipes and drains. Inspecting the walls and ceilings throughout your home for potential water spots or stains can help you to determine if you will require the assistance of a professional plumber. A thorough inspection of any walls and ceilings that are connected to your current plumbing system is always recommended. The more familiar you are with potential weak spots in your home, the easier it will be for you to prioritize which issues should be inspected and tackled first.

Check Water Pressure

When you are taking the time to inspect the plumbing throughout your home, pay close attention to the current water pressure. If you notice that the water pressure has been diminished in certain drains or if you are unable to receive full water pressure anywhere in your home, you may have a bigger issue to address. Depending on where the water pressure issues are located in your home and if they impact more than one drain, you may be dealing with a simple issue such as a clog or a completely clogged and corroded sewer line drain.

Inspect Drains for Backups and Potential Clogs

As a homeowner, keeping your toilets and drains clear from backups and potential clogs is imperative. Regularly cleaning drains and removing clogs can prevent major issues from building up over time. Take the time to inspect each of the drains in your home individually if you are determined to maintain your plumbing for years to come. When inspecting your drains for backups and clogs, fill each sink or drain area with water to monitor the draining speed. If you notice that one of your sinks or drains is emptying much slower than usual, it may be time for an inspection of your own.

Eliminating clogs from drains and sinks can be done with or without the help of a professional plumber, depending on your own knowledge, skills, and abilities when it comes to plumbing on your own. Removing a clog from a sink or drain on your own is not ideal unless you are familiar with the process. Keep in mind that if you choose to use a remedy such as a drain clog substance that is sold over the counter, you are also running the risk of damaging your home’s pipes and actual drains. Learning about the P-traps in your drains and how to remove them manually can help you to determine if you are dealing with a simple hair or object clog or if you need to call on professionals to help.

Check Toilets for Loose-Fitting Fixtures

Inspecting all the toilets in your home for loose-fitting fixtures is another way to conduct a bit of preventative maintenance with a DIY inspection of your own. Check for loose fixtures, attachments, flushers, and toilet seats to determine which areas of your bathroom need the most attention first. Maintaining the fixtures in your bathrooms can prevent major cracks in your toilet seats or issues in your sink over time. This can ultimately help to save time and money when it comes to repairs and in some cases, investing in brand-new replacements.

Check Valves for Potential Leaks

If possible, you should also take the time to check the valves involved with your plumbing for potential cracks or in some cases, drips and leaks. Valves are typically located beneath sinks, attached to water heaters, and near some toilets, depending on the type of plumbing you have installed in your home. Inspecting each individual valve for looseness and potential leaks or cracks can help you to pinpoint specific issues that you need to rectify as quickly as possible. The faster you can identify a problem area in your plumbing’s valve, the easier it will be for you to find the appropriate solution or professional to help.

Inspect Pipe Insulation

Another plumbing inspection that you can attempt on your own is checking your pipes for insulation. Inspecting the insulation of your pipes can help you determine the current condition of your pipes and whether they require upgrades or in some cases, even complete replacements. Inspecting the insulation of your pipes may not be easy if your pipes are not easily accessible or visible to the naked eye. In this case, it is best to turn to a professional plumber or a local plumbing company that specializes in camera inspections or in full pipe insulation inspections.

Check Drains and Faucets for Damage

When you are conducting an inspection of your plumbing, be sure to check all the faucets and accessible drains in your home individually for damage. Inspecting drains and faucets for potential damage will indicate which areas of your home should be prioritized first once you begin working with a local plumbing company or contractor. Inspecting drains and faucets for damage is possible by checking for clogs, inspecting the interior of the drains, and even checking fixtures attached to faucets for cracks or leaks. The more familiar you become with the plumbing in every area of your home, the easier it will be for you to determine when it is time to call a professional.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

A complete checklist for plumbing work will also have information on local plumbers and contractors you can trust and turn to in an emergency or in your time of need. Whether you’re interested in a professional plumbing inspection, repairs, or even an irrigation service, knowing when it’s time to call a plumbing company is essential as a homeowner or property investor in any capacity. While in some cases, it may be possible for you to conduct a DIY inspection of your plumbing on your own, this is not always advisable.

If you are experiencing a major clog, backup, or flood in your home due to the plumbing system you currently have in place, it’s best to turn to the pros for the guidance and direction you will need. Professional plumbers are not only certified and trained in the field of plumbing, but they are also licensed and insured. This provides them with explicit permission to operate as a professional contractor or company when offering plumbing services to clients without putting their clients in legal jeopardy. Anytime you are dealing with a serious or potentially harmful plumbing situation, calling on a professional plumber is best.

How to Find a Qualified Plumber

When you are creating a checklist for plumbing work, you may be wondering how to go about finding a qualified plumber. In order to find the right plumber you will need for your home or property, you will need to determine the type of services you require. From traditional inspections and local drain cleaning services to specialized septic system services, there are many different plumbing solutions to consider before you begin comparing your local plumbing options. Take the time to determine the services you will require before you choose a plumber or local plumbing company that is right for you.

Once you have an understanding of the type of plumbing work you need around your home, you can begin searching for a plumbing contractor or company with local business directories. If you do not have an easily accessible business directory near you, check with other locals as well as business owners in your area to learn more about plumbing companies you can trust. Another way to seek out an appropriate plumber for the work you need done is to search online.

Browsing online for a professional plumber is not only a way to compare the services they currently provide, but it’s the perfect opportunity to research reviews and testimonials from previous clients. When you are comparing different plumbing companies and contractors online, take the time to research whether they currently offer warranties or a work guarantee to all of their clients. A warranty or guarantee will help to protect you as an investor whether you’re interested in typical inspections, basic repairs, or if you’re looking to hire a plumbing company to install brand-new plumbing throughout your entire home. Verifying the legitimacy of a plumbing contractor or company can go a long way in maintaining your peace of mind throughout the process.

Using a checklist for plumbing work is a great way to ensure you have everything you need to maintain your home’s plumbing for years, if not decades to come. With the right checklist for plumbing work, tend to any plumbing issues you encounter without feeling confused or overwhelmed by your potential options and available solutions. Becoming familiar with the basics of plumbing is a way for you to maintain your own peace of mind as a homeowner at all times.

If you’re selling your home, now is a great time to do it. Summer is a popular time to buy a new home and with 11% of the U.S. population moving in 2017 alone, millions of people relocate every year. But you can’t just put your house on the market without making a few repairs or changes first so it looks its best. Don’t forget about metal buildings, too — these can look great on your property and give your home’s value a significant boost!

So if you’re looking to sell your home, here are a few home exterior trends and ideas to keep in mind.

Go Dark With Exterior Paint

While homes are often light in color, more and more homeowners are choosing to go dark with the exterior paint — black, dark grey, and even deep browns or greens are being seen more and more. These dark colors help give homes a sophisticated look, especially when paired with a dark metal roof, too. And if you’re painting with dark colors, consider adding a contrasting light wood trim around windows and doors.

Outdoor Fireplaces

More and more people are looking for homes with outdoor living areas — especially during the summertime. This is why it can be a great idea to invest in an outdoor fireplace. While fire pits are certainly common, having an outdoor firepit takes outdoor living to a whole new level. An electric outdoor fireplace can be particularly appealing because it’s less work. And this could be appealing to the 34% of buyers who are looking to avoid renovations and issues with plumbing or electricity. Either way, an outdoor fireplace is sure to catch the eye of potential buyers.

Front Porches

If you have room to build out from your home, you may way to consider adding on a front porch. Front porches, no matter how small, add a touch of class and a welcoming environment to houses. While you’re at it, consider replacing your front door and your locks. The locksmith industry has seen a 2% increase in businesses over the last five years, so you should have no trouble finding someone for the job.  And consider that a simple front porch with some nice railings can really improve the look and feel of a house. And if possible, consider a screened-in porch — with a 50% open area screen, you can still have optimal visibility and airflow.

Outdoor Lighting

If you’re looking to really improve the outdoor living area in your home, then lighting is a necessity. But a few sconces won’t do much for ambiance — consider string lights instead. String lights can bring a magical feeling to an area and it’s perfect for both busy parties and cozy nights. You could even invest in some solar-powered lights, which will appeal to eco-friendly buyers, especially with less than 22% of household trash getting recycled in the United States.

Taller Windows

All homes have windows, but some may be smaller than others. As natural light becomes of more importance, more homeowners are choosing floor-to-ceiling windows. These windows are perfect for living rooms and even kitchens where natural light is most wanted. Even sliding doors are becoming taller, allowing outdoor living spaces to feel more like part of the interior of the house. Glass is even becoming popular when it comes to garage doors, but they can be quite pricey due to their size.

Before listing your home for sale, it’s important to consider what’s “in” right now. You should also consider the fact that the average amount of money it takes to sell a house in the U.S. is $15,200. But if you keep these few exterior home trends in mind, you’re sure to catch the attention of several potential buyers effortlessly and cost effectively.