Evolving Plumbing Needs
Who wouldn’t give up an extra closet for a walk-in shower?
It should come as no surprise that our plumbing needs evolve as our family, home, and lifestyle changes. Our plumbing is occasion-oriented: a significant change can mean new tasks that plumbing has to perform. Because of this, it makes sense to improve our plumbing when we need something new rather than suffer the inconvenience. A visit from a respected and knowledgeable plumber to upgrade our plumbing can make life so much easier. Here are some of the ways our needs evolve:
Family needs
A growing family can lead to new plumbing challenges. While some families encounter massive changes when they have a new baby, others may need a walk-in shower when they decide to family-up with elderly parents. Some homeowners are willing to combine spaces from laundry rooms, pantries, a linen closet, or walk-in closets in the next room for the area to add a bathtub or even another bathroom.
Health needs
Seniors have unique challenges. Seniors, a segment of society that was previously tucked away in nursing homes and over-55 communities, are now remaining in their homes, albeit with some modifications. Walk-in tubs and showers, temperature display faucets, and even color-coded water features that show cold as blue, warm as violet, and red as hot. Some units operate on command, sense, and adjust the temperature. People with sensitive skin can control their water and make it the warmth they need without the danger of scalding or a chill when they test it.
Devices are Smarter
Some newer Smart faucet models can be activated by touching them anywhere on the handle or spout with a hand, wrist, forearm, etc. They turn themselves off if they are left running. Some models can be 'touch' are also voice-controlled and can also be asked to 'fill to one cup' or 'turn off the water.' After she had a Smart faucet installed, it would turn off automatically after a few minutes, preventing a potential flood and gallons of wasted water. If you want to take it a step further and create even less of a carbon footprint, you can install a tankless water heater or a hot water recirculation pump to conserve energy and limit water consumption.
Age of the system
Older fixtures, pipes, and connections can fail as plumbing ages. This, too, is a form of evolution. Keeping a close eye on the system is one way to know when older plumbing requires replacement. When old plumbing needs to be replaced, some homeowners will bite the bullet and replace all of their plumbing at once, and others wait as long as possible. Each home is different, but a good sign your turn for pipe replacement is coming is if the neighbors in the same area with the same kind of water and home-build all seem to be replacing their pipes. While these examples are by no means inclusive, they offer examples of how plumbing needs don't remain constant, and how changes can bring about comfort, safety, and better hygiene for a family's changing needs.
As your plumbing needs evolve, if you need a licensed, bonded, insured plumber who has a heart for the community, we hope you’ll consider MNS Plumbing to perform your next plumbing job. Happy New Year, everyone! We hope the coming decade will bring you joy and prosperity.
For plumbing leaks, plumbing installations, or plumbing repairs call MNS Plumbing today at 602-362-4524.
