Interior home kitchen

Plumbing Upgrades That Will Increase Your Home’s Worth

If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, it is almost certain that you are also thinking of doing some renovations to the property. While more popular upgrades like a garage door replacement, landscaping improvements, or repainting are certainly on the table, have you considered the value of upgrading your home’s plumbing? While the plumbing system is not the most advertised part of a home, TrustHomeProperties.com explains it can have a huge impact on the sales price.

How is upgrading your home’s plumbing important to the sale of the property?

  • Plumbing fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom/toilets are a magnet for the buyer’s eyes. Upgrading faucets and other fixtures will freshen up the entire kitchen and bathroom.
  • Plumbing makes up a considerable part of the home’s essential systems. If plumbing is operating efficiently, the home is more valuable to buyers.
  • EPA regulations mandate sellers to disclose the presence of lead-based paint in a home but don’t do the same for lead pipes. A plumbing upgrade can help relieve buyers of this worry.
  • With well looked after plumbing systems, buyers know they don’t have to worry about water damage or mold.
  • Basically, upgrading a home’s plumbing guarantees that the home is highly-functional and buyers will be able to live there in maximum comfort.

However, given the high cost of completely overhauling the home’s plumbing systems, which upgrades are the best ones to begin with? Here are some tips to help you decide.

1.    Install pull-out faucets

Two basin steel kitchen sink

Installing a pull-out faucet is not just a way to update the aesthetic appeal of kitchen and bathroom sinks. These highly-affordable upgrades are also very functional. They are versatile and can be operated with one hand. In the kitchen, pairing the faucet with a double kitchen sink will deliver the most value at the lowest possible cost.

2.    Replace old piping

Copper pipes

If plumbing pipes are made of galvanized steel, they will be prone to corrosion and may pose a health risk. Lead and polybutylene pipes or cast iron, clay, and plastic sewer lines are also a problem. Water supply lines should be upgraded to copper pipes and for waste outlets, use PVC.

3.    Install low-flow or eco-friendly upgrades

These include energy-efficient toilets that use 1.5 gallons of water per flush versus the 3.5 – 5 gallons that older toilets use. Toilets with dual-flush function use even less water because they have two flushing modes for liquid and solid waste.

Installing low-flow devices to showerheads and faucets will also reduce the amount of water that is used without affecting the quality of bath times and washing.

4.    Insulate the pipes

Due to their potential for energy-loss, exposed pipes contribute more to high energy bills than most homeowners know. This is because pipes and heaters are typically located in the coolest part of the building, the basement.

Insulating pipes is easily and cheaply done by packing exposed pipes with pipe wraps and sleeves. But the effect of this minor upgrade on energy and maintenance cost is significant.

5.    Drain maintenance

water going down the drain

Clogged and slow running drains are the most common plumbing problems in the home. They are often symptomatic of deeper issues with the plumbing. They can be the reason why a buyer walks away from a home. Having the drain inspected and fixing the problems will prevent this. Also, installing strainers and hair-blockers in sinks will protect the drain

6.    Install a dishwasher

A dishwasher is a great convenience to have in the kitchen. Having one in place allows the home to capture a wider segment of potential buyers. Buyers who are used to having a dishwasher at home will appreciate the presence of the appliance.

Those who don’t have one will look forward to having one in their new home. An eco-friendly dishwasher is best and it will fit in with other eco-friendly upgrades.

7.    Replace the old water heater

Newer water heaters are more efficient. They heat faster and use less energy while making more hot water available. There is a range of options to choose from, depending on the specific needs of the home. Tankless heaters dispense of the need for storing water and are better at managing energy. They are great for homes where extra space is a luxury. Homeowners may also choose a gas-based or electricity-based water heater.

8.    Create a laundry room

Washing machine and dryer in cabinet in laundry room with detergent jars on top

A room that is solely dedicated to laundry, with washing and drying machines, is a big draw for potential buyers. It reduces clutter in the home and allows all laundry activities, including ironing, to be restricted to a specific part of the home.

Creating a laundry room does not require the home to have a lot of unused space. Washers and dryers are available as stackable units that do not take up a lot of room.

9.    Add an extra bathroom

The final and, arguably, most expensive plumbing upgrade, is adding an extra bathroom. This can be a half-bath with a sink and toilet. Or it can be a luxury bathroom with expensive features. Whichever it is, having more than one bathroom in the home can increase its value by as much as 23% and make it much more attractive to buyers.

There you have it, plumbing tip upgrades to help you increase your home’s value.