There is no doubt that since the recession, which brought us such poor housing and construction markets, the plumbing industry has experienced a fairly steep drop off in business. Customers have less disposable income which translates to less money for construction projects of any kind. While we are optimistic about recovery over the next few years, it would be prudent to consider which projects will be most likely to be a priority when these ideas come up on the radar again.
One area we can expect to see growth and customer demand is in the area of environmentally friendly and green plumbing products. These types of projects will bring value without a huge investment. We also have some ideas that most customers may never have considered.
When you consider that the average home will take 2-3 showers daily, will do laundry and wash dishes a few times, add brushing teeth and washing hands, the result is that the amount of greywater being sent down the drain averages well over 30,000 gallons a year for the average 4-person home. By using greywater on lawns and gardens, customers can avoid lowering reservoirs, wells, and rivers which will occur with increased fresh water usage. With a number of different types of systems available, most customers can take advantage of this type of water saving product.
- Tankless Hot Water Heaters and Solar Hot Water
Something most customers don’t realize is that they are paying for hot water 24 hours a day. Most hot water heaters run even when they are not needed. Hot water heaters on “standby” are costing money, even when the family is on vacation. Hot water on demand can be a great money saving option. The tankless hot water heaters offer hot water that is heated only when needed. When you have a large family that can run out of hot water trying to get all the morning showers in, the thought of unlimited hot water can also be very attractive. Savings result when only using hot water when you need it. With constant new technology, which means cheaper systems, a solar hot water system which warms the water naturally by the sun, will be a very good investment for most homeowners.
- Steam Showers – Good Idea Or Not?
Another upgrade that many customers consider is the addition of a steam shower in their bathroom remodel. While trendy, there may be a downside. Chlorine and similar chemicals can be better absorbed in the environment of the steam shower. The heat will open pores and the steam in the shower will vaporize the chlorine which can mean as much as 20 times the amount of chlorine being absorbed, compared to water straight from the tap.
- Don’t Ignore Plumbing When Selling A Home
A thorough inspection of a customer’s plumbing prior to a sale can avoid having a buyer be completely turned off by the possibility of plumbing problems. A nightmare for most buyers. Most buyers will simply turn on the tap or flush the toilets but some will do a more detailed inspection. A simple problem can mean a nervous buyer but a simple repair can avoid any buyer stress.
While major upgrades and renovations can be big selling points, many times fixing a leak or changing some faucets can be worth almost as much in the mind of a buyer. Many times simple repairs can lead to larger problems so a reliable, experienced plumber can be a sale-saver when it comes to pointing out potential problems. The addition of green plumbing products will undoubtably be a priority for many customers as they consider loosening the purse strings for new projects.
We would like to invite you to contact us to discuss any upgrades or improvements you may be thinking about.
