We’ve all been spending a lot more time in our homes lately. Time to work, time to relax, and time to notice all of those home improvement projects piling up. With more people working from home due to the pandemic and the snowstorms last month, we’ve been getting a lot of calls about plumbing upgrades.
Whatever your reason, a functional plumbing system is vital to a comfortable and valuable home. With winter beginning to thaw and spring on the way, it’s the perfect time to start making plans. So, we figured we would compile a list of recommended upgrades that’ll save you time, money and add value to your home.
1. Replace your toilets.
There are a few reasons to upgrade and replace the old toilets in your home. First, it helps to conserve water. This will also help save money on your water bill. Toilets manufactured before 1980 can use up to 7 gallons of water each flush, but with new federal guidelines in the 1990s, toilets are now required to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. If you’re interested in other conservation tips, check out our blog on 10 Easy Ways to Save Water.
Appearance is also a big factor in upgrading toilets. They may not be the most fashionable item in your house, but that doesn’t mean they have to be ugly. Outdated toilets may not match your current aesthetic, so why not get something that compliments your house? New toilets come in basic colors like white and off-white, but you can also order a customized toilet if you want a certain color.
While fashion and saving water are important, don’t forget the most vital feature – comfort. When purchasing a new toilet, pay attention to the height of the toilet and the shape of the bowl. If you’re going to dish out cash for a new toilet, make sure it fits you and your family as comfortably as possible.
2. Upgrade your pipes.
It’s not uncommon for older homes to have galvanized pipes. The problem is galvanized pipes can experience internal corrosion, with corroded material breaking off into your pipes and affecting the quality of your water. This can cause your water to taste bad and even become a safety hazard if consumed. Corrosion can also build up and clog your pipes, causing them to burst. Consider replacing your old pipes, which could be made of polybutylene or lead, and upgrade them to copper pipes. Copper pipes add value to your home and give you peace of mind when it comes to safety.
While you’re upgrading your pipes, you should take the opportunity to insulate them. Many people experienced frozen pipes during the snowstorms in February because their pipes were not properly protected. Insulating your pipes is easy and cost-friendly. Pipe wraps or sleeves fit over exposed pipes to add an extra layer of protection. These can be purchased at your local hardware store.
[Free resource: How to Prevent Pipes From Freezing – Home Depot]
3. Install an efficient water heater.
Another lesson we learned this winter is the importance of an efficient water heater. There are few things worse than being stuck without hot water, so it is crucial to ensure your water heater is working properly. Older water heaters that haven’t been maintained can fill with sediment, which takes up space in your unit that should be filled with hot water. If left alone, the sediment can build up and decrease the capacity of your water heater.
New water heaters have more capacity to handle large families and more appliances, such as a dishwasher. If limited hot water is an issue in your home, you may also want to consider a tankless water heater, which provides endless hot water since it heats the water as it is being used. Modern water heaters are also more energy-efficient, quieter, and easier to maintain.
4. Upgrade your faucets.
Have you witnessed the revolutionary ability of the pull-out faucet? Pull-out faucets are easily operated with one hand and can be used for a variety of reasons. This feature is great for washing dishes, cleaning the sink, and filling pots and bowls. Instead of having a separate attachment on the side of your sink, the pull-out faucet connects a high-pressure sprayer directly to your faucet head, which can be pulled out and moved around.
This small upgrade is affordable and adds to the utility of your kitchen, setting it apart from other homes. Adding a dual basin to your kitchen sink can also increase functionality. While you may not need a pull-out faucet in your bathroom, upgraded faucets are also very appealing to the eye and can make your bathroom feel like new, even if it's just a cosmetic upgrade.
5. Consider features that add value.
While adding an extra bathroom or laundry room to your home may not be on your immediate list of improvements, they can significantly increase the value of your home and make your life easier. According to opendoor.com, adding a full bathroom can increase a home’s value by 5.7% and increase the resale price by almost $20,000. This could also be a great opportunity to add those luxury items you’ve been dreaming about, like a whirlpool tub, smart toilet, or heated flooring.
If you don’t already have a designated space for laundry, it may be time to add one. Moving your washer and dryer into their own space will decrease the clutter in your home and make your home feel more functional. This is especially doable if you have a smaller space in your home that isn’t quite big enough for a livable environment. This space can be as compact as you want (since washer and dryer units can be stackable).
We’re the plumbing company for all your residential needs.
There are many ways to improve the plumbing inside and outside of your home, but the upgrades we’ve listed above are great projects to start with. BL3 Plumbing provides residential services in the Moore and OKC metros, including emergency plumbing services, equipment installs and repair, and drain cleaning. When you’re ready to tackle the next plumbing improvement project on your list, give us a call at (405) 237-1414.
