4 Ways to Prep Your Plumbing for Your New Baby

The arrival of a new baby can lead to many changes around the house, and that includes changes to the plumbing. Repairs and baby-proofing products can help keep your little one safe and can also make your baby's arrival less stressful. Below are four things you can do to get ready.

Green products are becoming more popular all the time, and that includes cloth diapers. Cloth diapers cut back on landfill waste and also save money. However, they do require some maintenance. Soiled diapers can't be put into the washing machine unless they've been rinsed. Unless you're comfortable rinsing poopy diapers by hand, you're going to need a tool to help you.

Diaper sprayers are like mini shower heads that attach to the water line that fills the toilet. When not in use, the sprayer hangs from a hook on the toilet tank. Once the sprayer is hooked up to the water line, you'll be able to use it to direct a strong stream of water into the diaper. This stream of water sends poop and other waste into the toilet.

You can install a diaper sprayer without the help of a plumber, provided you have the right tools. However, older plumbing (especially galvanized piping) can be brittle and difficult to manipulate, so if you have old pipes, you may want to leave this installation to a professional. Also, if your toilet water shut off valve won't work, or if you encounter some other trouble when trying to attach the sprayer, contact a plumber for help.

Hot water can easily scald babies and toddlers. Turn down your water heater to 120 Fahrenheit degrees or less to avoid high temperatures that can cause burns.

While you're turning down the temperature, examine your water heater for signs of deterioration. Corrosion, moisture, leaks, and nearby water damage are all signs that your water heater is nearing the end of its service life. Have your water heater serviced before the baby is born to avoid the hassle of water heater repair when the baby is brand new.

Just as you'll want to attend to your water heater before the baby is born, you should also get ahead of leaks and clogs. Having leaks and clogs repaired before the baby is born means you'll be able to focus on your little one and not your home when the arrival comes.

To check for leaks and clogs, walk through your house and run all of your faucets. Watch for drips when the faucets turn off, and watch for clogs in the drains. Call a plumber when you've identified the trouble areas.

There are a number of baby-proofing products that are designed to help little ones stay safe in the bathroom. One you'll definitely want to look for is the faucet cover for the bathtub spigot.

Faucet covers can prevent a toddler from hitting their head on the faucet in the bathtub. They also prevent curious little ones from wrapping their mouths around the faucet opening.

To protect your baby from burns, buy a spigot cover that can also measure water temperature. This will help you ensure that the water temperature is safe for your child.

Your plumber may have also seen other baby-proofing products in bathrooms around your community. When your plumber comes to service your house, ask about clever ways that parents have protected their children around town.

Are you getting ready for the arrival of a little one? Contact your plumber for an appointment. At Power Plumbing Inc, we're proud to help growing families in San Luis Obispo take care of their homes, their property, and their loved ones. Call us today to find out more.