Plumbing can degrade over time, so it’s important for homeowners to make periodic repairs and improvements. If you’re a homeowner who would like to maintain your property and boost your property’s value, there may be many things you can do to make your home’s plumbing more functional.

Additionally, if your plumbing fixtures and faucets are outdated, there could be many cosmetic improvements to be made as well. The following plumbing improvements can protect your investment and make your home more attractive to buyers. Here’s what you need to know.

Get Rid of Galvanized Plumbing

Galvanized plumbing was commonly installed in homes in the 1950s and 1960s. At the time, it was the most advanced and best functioning type of plumbing for homes. Today, homeowners often install other types of plumbing like copper or PEX. Galvanized plumbing from decades ago often contains rusty corrosion inside the pipes, leading to clogs and sometimes leaks.

Galvanized plumbing is not an attractive feature in a home because most home buyers know they’ll have to replace it eventually. For homeowners who currently have galvanized plumbing in their house, replacing their plumbing reduces the possibility of leaks and also makes the house more attractive to buyers.

Repair Slow Leaks

Slow leaks can lead to major problems in a bathroom, kitchen, or in whatever room of the house where the leak is taking place. Slow leaks may seem like they’re not a big deal, especially if they’re not making a very big mess. However, slow leaks can cause critical problems behind the scenes. A slow leak in a wall can lead to wood rot, mold and other problems.

Homeowners who discover leaks in their home, whether it’s a dripping pipe or a leaky toilet, should have their plumbing leak repaired as soon as possible. Homeowners who don’t feel up to doing the work themselves should have their home repaired by a licensed plumber. Homeowners who don’t know enough about plumbing can sometimes do more harm than good when they try to take on their repairs themselves.

Replace That Old Toilet

According to pipe fit & repair professional Shane Bruce, Old toilets can use up to 7 gallons in a flush, depending on how old they are. New toilets use as little as 1.6 gallons or even less. Replacing an old toilet can save homeowners money on water usage and can also save thousands of gallons of fresh water. Homeowners who aren’t sure how old their toilet is may be able to find how much water their toilet uses by checking the back or the inside of the tank. Otherwise, they can have their toilet inspected by a licensed plumber to get a sense of its age.

Upgrade Faucets and Fixtures

Old faucets and plumbing fixtures can be an eyesore. Upgrading faucets and fixtures is an excellent way to improve the appearance of a home. Often, newer faucets and fixtures also function better than older models. For example, an older shower head can waste water. Replacing an old shower head with a new shower head can lead to a decrease in shower water usage of about 20%.

In other words, replacing faucets and fixtures can have many benefits, beyond improving the appearance of the bathroom or kitchen. For a homeowner who is selling their home, faucet upgrades can freshen up the kitchen and bathroom and make both look like new.

Install a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are energy efficient and water efficient. Tankless water heaters also have the added benefit of never running out of hot water, and when they break, they don’t usually lead to leaks all over the floor the way tank water heaters do. Installing a tankless water heater is an excellent way to improve a home’s supply of hot water.

Selling Your Home? Work with a Real Estate Professional

If you’re a homeowner who will be selling your home soon and you’re looking for ways to make your house more attractive to home buyers, contact a real estate professional. Your real estate agent can give you advice that can help you improve the value of your home before listing it for sale.