Upgrading your plumbing has many benefits. Not only are you making your home functional for the household, you’re also increasing your homes’ value. Doing the right upgrades can easily improve the value of your home, so if you plan to put it on the market, some updates can increase selling price and help convince a buyer to make a move. These are some of the best plumbing upgrades that can boost home value this year:
8 Most Valuable Plumbing Upgrades for your Home
1. Update Your Pipes
If you have an older home, chances are galvanized, cast iron, clay, or lead pipes are still in place. These can affect water quality and succumb to corrosion. Lead can be a health danger if it flakes into water. Cast iron is known for corrosion, while clay is fragile and breaks easily over time. Replacing old piping with copper, PVC, or PEX (which is more easily shaped) improve the function and safety of your plumbing system, and can help increase home value, especially since they can avoid a flood.
2. Insulate Pipes
While it’s important to fix leaks and replace damaged pipe, insulation protects against energy loss. Without insulation, heat can be lost from pipe in the basement and other cooler areas. This can significantly increase energy bills. However, insulating exposed pipes with pipe wraps and sleeves is simple and cost-efficient, and can cut your energy costs over the long run.
3. Install New Faucets
Pull out faucets often add aesthetic value not to mention function. You can operate your faucet with one hand. This is an affordable and practical upgrade, especially if you install a double kitchen sink. A double-basin sink lets you wash dishes and such while keeping the other part clear, and you can easily fit pots and pans inside for washing. In short, these options add utility to your home, a great way to boost value.
4. Get a Low-Flow, Energy-Efficient Toilet
An old toilet can use 5 or more gallons of water per flush. Newer, energy-efficient models use just 1.5 gallons. If you get one with a dual-flush function, it will conserve even more water. Toilets aren’t the only low-flow fixtures you can get. There are also low-flow faucets and showerheads. A few small, affordable upgrades can reduce water usage and costs in the long run.
5. Replace Your Water Heater
Supplying hot water around your home, the water heater can consume a lot of energy every day. The better it’s working and more well-maintained it is, the more efficient it can be. But if it’s old or outdated, the cost of a replacement can be recouped over time with a reduction in utility bills. Tankless water heaters offer the most potential energy savings, as they produce hot water on demand rather than store it in a tank.
6. Build a Second Bathroom
For homes with one bathroom, adding a half bath or a full luxury bathroom is one of the most profitable plumbing upgrades. High-value updates include heated flooring, jetted tubs, and de-scalers that help reduce soap use and can ease clean up of shower doors. But even a half-bath with a sink and toilet can make a small space more functional and reduce wait time.
7. Set Aside Space for Laundry
A laundry room allows you to install washing and drying machines out of the way. Stackable washers/dryers save even more space. Side-by-side units are better if you have low ceilings. Laundry rooms in general reduce clutter and can provide room for ironing as well.
8. Install a Dishwasher
Many homeowners consider a dishwasher a convenience. It can also add appeal to buyers, especially if it is eco-friendly. Dishwashers save time and use less water than washing dishes and kitchenware separately.
Contact Quality Heating Cooling & Plumbing
Our experienced plumbing professionals specialize in installation, repair, and maintenance as well as plumbing fixture, appliance, and pipe replacement in older homes. No matter what plumbing upgrades our Oklahoma customers need, our team is trained and equipped to get the job done. For more information, call 918-393-2611 today!