Taking on plumbing projects in your home may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to. To help you on your journey to home improvement, we have pulled together three tips for you to keep in mind when updating and installing your home’s plumbing. Find out what to look for, what to avoid, and what will help ensure your plumbing is done right to avoid costly mistakes and headaches down the road.

Below, we have three tips that will help ensure that your plumbing work is done right, and mistakes won’t cost you money down the road.

1. Hire a plumber that does work up to code, with permits.

Unless you’re doing the plumbing yourself, in your own single-family home, you’re required to hire a licensed plumber in the state of Wisconsin. Additionally, the penalties for plumbing without the right license can be as high as $2,000. You should verify the plumber’s license, then verify the permit for the work. A permit means that the government regulatory body knows a plumber is doing work in your home, and that record holds the plumber accountable for high quality, up-to-code work. All plumbing work in Madison requires a permit, and most cities and townships in Wisconsin are similar. If your plumber has a license and a permit for your home’s work, this a strong indicator that your new plumbing will tick all the legal boxes.

Buildings that aren’t up to code are considered unsafe or out of date and could lead you to face a lot of liability later. Insurance won’t payout for damage, any warranties on nearby appliances are voided, and you could be responsible for injuries or damage to others as a result of the faulty job. This also makes it especially difficult to rent or sell your property later.

2. Consider products with warranties.

If you invest in a top-of-the-line toilet, but it malfunctions in just a few weeks, the warranty will cover a replacement. If you don’t, you’ll pay out of pocket for damages and replacements.

All the products that Kegonsa Plumbing uses come with factory warranties. We stand by those warranties because we’ve vetted our sources. We know that any sink, toilet, water heater, or piping we bring to your home is tested and trusted. For that reason, we’re happy to replace any factory malfunctioned products. If a homeowner has already purchased a product and simply wants us to install it, we can’t stand behind any warranties. We aren’t sure where the product has been, who has handled it, or what elements the product is exposed to, and we haven’t vetted the manufacturer. As a result, when installing new plumbing or appliances, it’s best to go directly through the plumber or a trusted, warrantied source.

3. Invest in the most modern options that you can afford.

Upgrading the plumbing networks themselves in your home can be a great investment for future resale. Doing so at the same time as a remodel or new plumbing addition is much more convenient and cost-efficient for the homeowner. Different piping materials such as copper are more expensive but are a major plus for future homebuyers. In many cases, these investments can increase your resale value down the road. Deteriorating, leaky pipes, or even hazardous lead pipes, which can still be found in old homes, could be the reason a buyer chooses a different home over yours.

Additionally, consider the most energy-efficient options within your budget. By choosing a toilet that uses only 1.28 gallons per flush instead of 5, you reduce your water usage (and water bill) significantly! Energy-efficient plumbing systems not only save you money but add to the overall appeal of your home when it’s up for resale.

Armed with these three tips, you’ll avoid common mistakes that new homeowners encounter when they put in new plumbing for the first time. If you need an estimate on a project, reach out to us and we’ll estimate your project for free.