PLUMBING TRENDS: NEW PLUMBING TECHNOLOGY YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
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Indoor plumbing is one of those modern conveniences we constantly rely on, but give little thought until the first sign of a water leak or other plumbing problems.
This “out of sight, out of mind” mentality comes at a cost. The most recent data suggests that 22.6% of damage to homes comes from water damage and freezing, costing an average of $15,400 in related claims.
Fortunately, new plumbing technology helps homeowners be more aware of issues before they become an expensive lesson. The most recent innovations in plumbing technology give homeowners better visibility and control over their water use. This saves them money, helps improve water use efficiency, and protects their homes.
Below, we share some of the most important innovative plumbing trends, offering our advice about the plumbing upgrades that could be the biggest benefit to Memphis and Mid-South homeowners.
THE DRIVERS OF CHANGE IN HOME PLUMBING
Homeowners have grown increasingly interested in smart plumbing systems. In fact, the US water leak detection and repair services industry is expected to grow from its 2022 market size of $347.4 million to $519 million by 2030.
Several converging forces are pushing homeowners toward investing in a smarter, more efficient plumbing system.
WATER CONSERVATION
There are numerous regulations and federal US partnerships involved in protecting the country’s water supply, from the Clean Water Act to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS). As plumbing sustainability relates to homeowners and their plumbing, WaterSense plays an important role.
WaterSense is a partnership sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to WaterSense, US household water leaks “can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water” every year.
To help reduce this figure, water-efficiency products with the WaterSense label certify they meet the EPA requirements to use at least 20% less water, save energy, and perform to the same—or better—standards as other models.
HOMEOWNER EXPECTATIONS
Today’s homeowners want plumbing solutions that reflect their interest in efficiency, sustainability, and convenience.
SMART HOME INTEGRATION
Plumbing is part of the bigger picture of the smart home, also called the connected home. This includes technology to help with leak detection, controlled water use, and the convenience of intelligent control systems.
AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
Much of the US’s residential plumbing was installed decades ago, increasing the potential for leaks, corrosion, and inefficiency.
TOP 4 KEY TRENDS IN PLUMBING UPGRADES AND
TECHNOLOGY
The plumbing industry is in the middle of a significant technological transformation. What was once a system hidden behind walls and underground is now a measurable, manageable, and increasingly intelligent part of the modern connected home.
Here's a look at the top four major trends reshaping how homeowners think about their plumbing.
1. SMART PLUMBING AND IOT DEVICES
If you’ve heard of smart home features for your thermostat or your security system, now the Internet of Things (IoT) includes smart plumbing as well. Using sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and real-time monitoring, homeowners gain real-time visibility into their plumbing system.
Smart plumbing technologies are among the best eco-friendly plumbing products, helping to reduce waste while protecting your home.
Smart leak detection devices are installed throughout the home—under sinks, near your water heater, in bathrooms, and in the laundry room—helping to monitor for burst pipes, frozen lines, and slow drips in real time.
Smart sensors identify moisture and pressure fluctuations in pipes, send alerts to your smartphone, and can even shut off your home's water supply before damage can spread.
2. WATER-SAVING FIXTURES
Smart fixture upgrades can reduce your monthly water bills in addition to fulfilling your desire to be proactive about water conservation.
Replacing an inefficient toilet with a WaterSense-labeled model, one of the best water-saving devices, reduces water use by as much as 60%: That’s 13,000 gallons every year, saving $170 per year and $3,400 over the lifetime of the toilet.
Faucets and showerheads offer meaningful returns as well. A faucet dripping once per second equates to 3,000 wasted gallons over the year: That’s enough for 180 showers.
Just like toilets, replacing faucets and showerheads with WaterSense-labeled fixtures is a perfect way to reduce waste and save on monthly bills.
If your state and municipality allow it, you can take things a step further by recycling greywater. Greywater recycling captures gently used water from sinks, showers, and washing machines and reroutes it for toilet flushing and irrigation.
3. SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS
Many older homes still have their original copper or traditional PVC piping, materials that are being replaced with new, innovative materials that improve durability and safety while lowering the environmental impact.
Two leading alternative materials are cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are more flexible than copper, resistant to corrosion and freezing, and generally are even less expensive to install.
Other sustainable items include fixtures made from recycled plastics, ceramics, and metals. Eco-friendly pipe insulation reduces heat loss in hot water lines while lowering the energy required to sustain temperatures.
4. INSTALLATION AND REPAIR INNOVATIONS
In addition to innovative materials, there are also important new trends in how professionals diagnose and repair plumbing.
Trenchless sewer repair is a significant breakthrough that uses a process called cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining. This makes it possible for technicians to fix damaged sewer lines from the inside using UV light. They no longer have to excavate yards or driveways or uproot landscaping.
3D printing is also revolutionizing how plumbers manage repairs. The modern plumber can produce custom fittings and fixtures on-site, printing the precise part needed on the fly. This is especially advantageous for homeowners with older properties that are hard to source replacement plumbing for.
Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging diagnostic tool that lets technicians view overlaid digital data projected onto real-world plumbing to identify issues quickly and with greater precision than ever before.
WHY SMART PLUMBING UPGRADES ARE WORTH IT
Smarter plumbing technology protects your home, helps control costs, and adds overall value to your home.
COST SAVINGS
Basic changes to habits and plumbing fixtures can save the average US household $170 off the $500 annual average they spend on water and sewer bills. Upgrades like a tankless water heater can also help you save on water-heating costs, which account for around 18% of your entire energy costs.
RISK REDUCTION
Water damage can cost insured homeowners an average of over $15,000 in claims. Considering that 1 in 10 US homes has leaks that waste over 90 gallons of water every day, investing in smart plumbing can help prevent these costly leaks and protect your home.
INCREASED HOME VALUE
Smart features and efficiency upgrades are important to modern homebuyers, with 70% specifically looking for a smart home, and 78% willing to pay more for one.
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Plumbing isn’t always the first thought synonymous with comfort and convenience, but programmable smart showers and toilets, and voice-activated faucets certainly deliver.
WHEN TO UPGRADE
Upgrades make the most sense when:
Your water heater is over eight years old
You have high water bills and don’t know why
You still have the original plumbing fixtures for decades
You’ve had slow leaks or water damage
If you’re not sure what minor plumbing issues to prioritize, you can talk to Conway Services seven days a week.
OLDER HOMES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE GREATER
MEMPHIS AREA
Nearly two-thirds of Memphis homes were built before 1980, and close to half were built before 1970. This means copper pipes exposed to mineral-rich water for decades, or cast-iron drain lines corroding over that same period.
Even though the area isn’t known for brutal winters, when below-freezing temperatures hit, they can wreak havoc on unprotected pipes passing through crawl spaces, unheated attics, and exterior walls.
Buried sewer lines face repeated mechanical stress under expanding and contracting clay-heavy ground that separates pipe joints and invites intrusive roots to cause damage.
This combination underscores the importance of regular proactive inspections, the benefits of smart leak detection, and the need to replace pipes with modern materials.
ANY QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP
Generations of Tennesseans have put down roots in homes that are still standing today. Likewise, since 1990, Conway Services has grown from a humble one-truck service into a permanent fixture in the greater Memphis community.
Our plumbers are honored to serve our neighbors by helping preserve, repair, and upgrade the plumbing that runs through every one of these homes. And, the only thing stronger than our pipes is our lifetime guarantee: All of our sewer and drain cleaning services come with a warranty on our work for the life of the house.
Call Conway Services to schedule an appointment and learn more about the plumbing in your home.
