Preventive Plumbing Care for Newer Homes in Green

Newer Does Not Mean Maintenance-Free

Modern materials solve some old problems. PEX supply lines do not rust like galvanized steel, and plastic drain pipe does not scale up like cast iron. But a house built in the 2000s already has a water heater that may be on its second decade, a sump pump that has run through many spring seasons, and faucets and toilets that were chosen by a builder working to a budget.

Those items fail the same way they do in any house: gradually, then all at once. The goal of a maintenance visit is to catch them in the gradual stage.

Common Findings in Green's Newer Homes

When we visit homes built in the last twenty or so years, these are the issues that come up most:

• Builder-grade faucets with plastic internal parts that start dripping or loosen at the base
• Toilet fill valves and flappers that wear out and cause phantom refills
• Water heaters that have never been flushed since the day the house was finished
• Sump pumps with no backup and check valves that have started to leak back
• PEX fittings or crimp rings near the water heater showing early discoloration or weeping
• Garbage disposals that jam or leak from the bottom after years of daily use

What to Upgrade and What to Leave Alone

Not everything a maintenance visit turns up needs replacing right away. A well-installed PEX system is generally in good shape for a long time, and we will tell you so. Where we do suggest an upgrade, it is usually a fixture or appliance at the end of its useful life. A disposal that keeps jamming is a good example, and our garbage disposal service in Green handles replacements.

Water heaters in subdivisions built around the same time tend to reach their end around the same time too. If yours is approaching that age, a maintenance visit gives you time to plan. Our Green water heater repair and installation page explains the options.

A Checklist for First-Time Homeowners

If you just bought your first house, a few early steps go a long way. Find the main water shutoff, often near where the line enters the basement, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is. Locate the gas shutoff on the water heater. Look at the label on the water heater to learn its age. Lift the sump pump float to watch it run. And note any drips or slow drains now, while they are small. A maintenance visit after moving in is a good way to get a baseline on everything at once.

Making Maintenance a Habit

Our Residential Plumbing Maintenance Agreement keeps that baseline current every year. It costs $189 per year, or $378 for a three-year term, and includes an annual inspection, priority service, emergency support, 10% off labor and materials and no service-charge minimums. Because coverage is transferable and renews automatically, it stays in place without extra paperwork. Visit the membership page to learn more.

Green sits about 15 miles west of our East Canton shop, close to North Canton, New Franklin and Canal Fulton. For a full rundown of the service, read our plumbing maintenance page.