Whether you’re currently working on getting your house ready for a sale or you’re going to be staying there for a while yet, not all plumbing upgrades are created equal. Some types of upgrades, especially the ones that target foundational aspects of your home like the pipes and drains, will increase the value of your house more than any aesthetic upgrades. The state of your plumbing can have a big influence on how the sale of your home goes, so these particular upgrades are ones that you’re going to want to prioritize in order to increase the value of your home as much as you possibly can. 

New Plumbing Lines

Depending on when your home was built, you might still have pipes in the house with dangerous or undesirable materials in them that can be contributing to your water flow and quality. At best these kinds of pipes can be slow and produce bad-tasting water, and at worst they can block off completely and burst, or pose a health risk. Getting these pipes replaced for ones that use more modern materials like copper and PVC will improve the functionality and safety of your plumbing as well as giving the house more value overall.

Larger Drains

Bathroom drain sizes can vary pretty widely, and having a drain that is too small is not going to do you any favors when selling your house. If you have 1.5-inch drains or even ones as small as 1.25-inch, upgrading to a two inch drain will seriously improve your drainage quality and your house’s value.

Insulated Pipes

You might think you live in a climate that’s too warm and temperate to need to have your pipes insulated, but think again. Lots of houses built in areas with nice weather aren’t well insulated to begin with, meaning you’re still at risk for a frozen or burst pipe if an unexpected cold snap hits. Additionally, exposed, uninsulated pipes are a major energy sink for a house, and can lead to bills being much higher than they would be with proper insulation. Insulating your pipes is a very quick and easy upgrade, but the added efficiency and peace of mind that they’ll be able to offer is more than worth it.

New Water Heater

The water heater is a fixture of the home that you don’t think about too often– until it breaks, and then it’s all you can think about. Being stuck without hot water is one of the fastest ways to ruin your day, so if your heater is old or inefficient, getting it replaced is a great idea. There are many kinds of water heaters to choose from, including tankless varieties, as well as gas or electric water heaters. Check in with your plumber about which option would make the most sense for your house and which would be the most efficient choice. Having an efficient water heater will be a good way to add value to your home!

Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Green features are becoming more and more important as selling points in the housing market, with many homeowners looking not only to reduce their environmental impact, but also to run more efficient houses and save on their utilities bills. Because of this, adding eco-friendly upgrades like low-flow faucets and shower heads or dual flush toilets will increase the value of your home significantly. 

By selecting one or a combination of these upgrades when you do your next kitchen or bathroom remodel, you’ll be able to add value back to your home in all sorts of ways! If you live in the Reading, PA area and are interested in plumbing upgrades like these, contact The Plumbing Works today to discuss your project. We’ve been offering top-quality plumbing, heating, and cooling services to our area since 1992 and we can help you get started!