Buying a brand-new home is exciting. Everything is fresh, the appliances are new, and you probably aren't expecting to think about plumbing problems anytime soon.
But here's something many new homeowners discover during their first year: new construction does not mean your plumbing system is maintenance-free.
Homes throughout South Jordan, Herriman, and Riverton are being built at a rapid pace, and new homeowners have an opportunity that owners of older homes don't always get: establishing good plumbing habits from day one.
A few simple checks during your first year can help protect your pipes, fixtures, water heater, and appliances while potentially catching problems before they become expensive repairs.
Here's the first-year plumbing checklist every new Utah homeowner should consider.
1. Test Your Water Hardness Within 30 Days
One of the first things you should learn about your new home's plumbing is what's actually coming through your pipes.
Utah is known for hard water, and mineral-rich water can affect plumbing fixtures, appliances, and water heaters over time.
Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. As water travels through your home's plumbing and is heated inside your water heater, those minerals can contribute to scale buildup.
You may eventually notice:
- White spots on faucets and fixtures
- Mineral deposits around showerheads
- Reduced efficiency from appliances
- Scale buildup inside plumbing
- Water heater sediment and mineral accumulation
A new home isn't protected from hard-water problems simply because the pipes and fixtures are new.
Have your water hardness tested within the first 30 days.
Once you know your home's water quality, you can make an informed decision about whether water treatment makes sense for your household.
2. Locate and Label Your Main Water Shutoff
This is one of the easiest things to do and one of the most important.
Find your home's main water shutoff valve and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
If a pipe suddenly breaks, a washing machine hose fails, or a major leak develops, you don't want to spend 20 minutes searching for the valve while water is spreading across your home.
Once you've located it:
- Make sure the valve is accessible.
- Confirm you know how to operate it.
- Label it if necessary.
- Make sure other adults in the home know its location.
It is much easier to learn where your main shutoff is during a quiet Saturday afternoon than during a plumbing emergency.
3. Check Your Home's Water Pressure
Your home's water pressure affects almost every plumbing fixture.
Pressure that is too low can make showers frustrating and affect how fixtures operate. Pressure that is too high can put unnecessary stress on pipes, fixtures, appliances, and connections.
The calendar recommends confirming that your home's water pressure is between 40 and 80 PSI.
If you're unsure how to check it, a plumber can measure the pressure and determine whether your pressure-regulating equipment is working properly.
This is particularly worth checking in a new home because pressure regulators can be improperly adjusted or miscalibrated.
Catching a pressure problem early is much easier than discovering it after a fixture or connection fails.
4. Schedule Your First Water Heater Flush at Six Months
Your water heater may be brand new, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it until something goes wrong.
The first year is an excellent time to establish a maintenance schedule.
The calendar specifically recommends scheduling your first water heater flush at approximately six months.
Why?
Sediment and minerals can accumulate inside a tank-style water heater. Utah's hard water can make mineral buildup an especially important consideration.
Regular maintenance can help your water heater operate properly and may help extend its useful service life.
While you're having the system serviced, it can also be an opportunity to have other components inspected and make sure the water heater is operating as it should.
Don't wait until you wake up to a cold shower to start thinking about water heater maintenance.
5. Consider a Whole-Home Water Softener
If your new home doesn't already include a water softener, don't assume that means you don't need one.
Builder-installed plumbing systems may provide perfectly functional water delivery while leaving water treatment up to the homeowner.
In areas with hard water, a whole-home water softener can help reduce the calcium and magnesium minerals entering your home's plumbing.
That can help protect:
- Water heaters
- Faucets
- Showerheads
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Other water-using appliances
It can also reduce the white scale and spotting many Utah homeowners notice on fixtures and glassware.
The right solution depends on your home's actual water quality, so test first rather than guessing.
A water quality assessment can help determine whether a softener is appropriate and what type of system makes sense for your home.
6. Register Your Appliances and Save Your Warranties
This may not technically be a plumbing repair, but it can save you headaches later.
Your new home likely contains several appliances and plumbing-related components with manufacturer warranties.
Take a few minutes to:
- Register new appliances
- Save warranty information
- Photograph model and serial numbers
- Keep installation documents
- Save your builder's plumbing documentation
- Store everything somewhere you can find it later
If a water heater, dishwasher, garbage disposal, or other plumbing-related appliance develops a problem, having the warranty information readily available can make the process much easier.
What New Homeowners Shouldn't Ignore
New construction plumbing problems aren't always obvious.
Pay attention if you notice:
- A faucet with unusually low pressure
- Water pressure that seems excessively strong
- A toilet that constantly runs
- Drains that are consistently slow
- Water around the base of a fixture
- Unusual water heater noises
- White mineral deposits appearing quickly
- Water that looks, smells, or tastes different than expected
Your home is still new, but plumbing components can have installation issues, adjustment problems, or early failures.
If something doesn't seem right, it's better to investigate it while the home is under warranty or before a small issue becomes a larger one.
New Construction Plumbing in South Jordan, Herriman, and Riverton
New homeowners in the South Jordan, Herriman, and Riverton areas have a unique opportunity to establish a plumbing maintenance routine before problems develop.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Draper serves these communities and can help homeowners evaluate their plumbing systems, water quality, water pressure, and water heaters.
A professional new-home plumbing audit can give you a clearer picture of how your home's plumbing is performing and what maintenance should be on your calendar.
Your First-Year Plumbing Checklist at a Glance
If you just moved into a new home, start here:
Within 30 days
- Test your water hardness
- Locate and label the main water shutoff
- Check your home's water pressure
Within 6 months
- Schedule your first water heater flush
- Evaluate whether a whole-home water softener makes sense
During your first year
- Register appliances
- Save warranties and documentation
- Pay attention to unusual plumbing symptoms
- Address small problems before they become larger ones
Protect Your New Home From Day One
Buying a new home should mean enjoying your investment, not discovering six months later that you could have prevented a plumbing problem with a little maintenance.
The good news is that most of these steps are simple.
Know your water quality. Know your water pressure. Know where your main shutoff is. Maintain your water heater. Protect your plumbing from Utah's hard water. Keep your warranties organized.
Those habits can go a long way toward keeping your new home's plumbing working the way it should.
Ready to make sure your new home's plumbing is set up for the long haul? Book a new-home plumbing audit with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Draper.
Whether you're in South Jordan, Herriman, or Riverton, getting your plumbing checked early can give you confidence that you're starting homeownership on the right foot.
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