Our plumbing isn’t always the first thing we think of upgrading when it comes to home improvements: however, it’s actually one of the more important things to upgrade. Advances in technology – particularly water saving technology – means a savvy plumbing upgrade can end up saving you money when it comes to your water bills. It can also be the difference between a smooth running system or an expensive plumbing emergency.
With that in mind, here’s our top five plumbing upgrades large and small.
- Update your mixers
This is one of the quickest, easiest and most effective upgrades you can make to your plumbing system. By replacing your old mixer taps with modern ones, you can take advantage of a wide range of innovative technologies, including:
- Water saving features
- Temperature control features
- Different types of water jets
- Flexible hoses
In addition, a quick mixer tap upgrade goes a long way towards freshening up the look of your kitchen or bathroom, which leads us to…
- Carry out a bathroom reno
OK, this isn’t a small job. But, bang for buck, a bathroom reno is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to your home plumbing system. Replacing ageing shower heads, vanity and bath taps, and toilets with modern, more water-efficient versions will see your water usage (and bills) reduce dramatically; in addition, updating the waterproofing and plumbing infrastructure will protect the rest of your home from any surprise leaks. You can also install tempering valves to limit your water temperature and prevent accidental scalds.
- Carry out a kitchen reno
While you’re fixing up the bathroom, why not freshen up the kitchen plumbing too? Everything we’ve said above for the bathroom is true for the kitchen as well – reduced water usage, better protection from leaks or burst pipes, and increased safety using tempering valves to limit water temperature. Over and above this, replacing older appliances like gas cooktops, ovens and dishwashers will also reduce your gas and electricity bills.
- Install mini stop cocks
One really easy upgrade you can make to your home plumbing is to install mini stop cocks at strategic points around the home. This allows us to switch off the water supply to specific parts of your home when carrying out maintenance, rather than having to switch off your entire water supply for an unspecified period. Much more convenient for us and you!
- Install an instantaneous water heater
Last but not least, this is one of our favourite upgrades. If you’re persevering with a traditional storage tank hot water system, an instantaneous system is a revelation. Rather than heating the entire tank, it only heats the water you’re using – saving heaps on your gas bill. They also take up much less space than a storage tank, meaning you can use that space for better things. If an instantaneous system doesn’t float your boat, we can also install solar and heat pump hot water systems as well.
Flowtek Services, your local plumber servicing Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast, is ready to upgrade any and all aspects of your plumbing. Get in touch with our local Yeppoon team today.
