2018 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in the plumbing industry. From touchless faucets going mainstream to minimally invasive repiping techniques, plumbing is going high-tech. If you are looking for a Houston plumber, Santhoff is always keeping up with the latest plumbing innovations and trends.
The Year of the Shower
Water and electricity do not mix, right? Well, not exactly! Expect to see hundreds of new electronic shower products hitting the market over the next few months. From automatic lights to wireless speakers, the modern shower is connected to the IoT, or internet of things. The Internet of things (IoT) is a network of physical devices, home appliances, and other equipment embedded with electronics, sensors, actuators, software, and connectivity which allows these appliances to communicate with each other and exchange information. Want to turn the shower on and let the water warm up from the comfort of your couch? A smartphone app will let you do just that.
Touchless Fixtures
Bathrooms are breeding grounds for all sorts of mold and bacteria, which is why we spend so much time and money on cleaning products to keep them sanitary. However, modern controls are going touchless. You can now flush a toilet or turn on the sink without physically interacting with a knob or handle. Even things like light switches are ditching old-school physical controls and going with touch pads, which have fewer surfaces to collect germs.
Powerful Flushes
Saving water is not just for the eco-friendly homeowner any longer — in some parts of the world, it is becoming a necessity. Toilet manufacturers have been hard at work developing toilets that deliver more powerful flushing action with less water. Low-flush toilets have been around for years, but older models tended to clog more easily, which prompted a large number of local homeowners to schedule a Houston toilet repair call. Thankfully, poorly flushing low water-use toilets are a thing of the past.
Smart Pipes
The biggest problem with leaks is that 90 percent of the time, it is not easily to pinpoint where they are — especially if they are located under your home, in the walls or out in the yard. Just like with shower controls, the pipes in your home are becoming smarter. Small embedded sensors can now detect leaks both large and small and help narrow down their precise location, which can save you money on both your utility bills and plumbing repair costs.
Trenchless Piping
Installing new pipes used to involve ripping up your lawn and digging a trench at least a foot down. New trenchless piping techniques avoid unnecessary damage by feeding the new pipe through the existing one. Two different techniques exist. The first involves pushing a fresh pipe with substantial force and literally bursting the old one apart. The second technique involves applying adhesive to the inside of the pipe, which breathes fresh life into it at a fraction of the cost of a complete replacement.
Do you need to update your home’s plumbing fixtures or schedule a Houston water heater repair? Give Santhoff a call at (713) 360-2185 today to set up a free consultation!