New to Idaho? The 10-Point Plumbing Check for First-Time Homeowners
Welcome to Idaho! New keys, new views… and a brand-new set of “wait—where’s the main shutoff?” questions. If you just moved into your first home, a quick plumbing walkthrough now can prevent expensive surprises later (and save you from hunting valves at 2 a.m.). This guide is your 10-point, Idaho-ready checklist—written the way we do it on our first visit—so you can learn your system fast and spot little issues before they snowball.
When you’re ready for a pro set of eyes, A+ Drain Cleaning & Plumbing can do the whole walkthrough with you, fix what we find on the spot, and set up an easy maintenance plan.
1) Find—and test—your main water shutoff (and meter)
Why it matters: In any leak or burst, seconds count.
What to do:
Locate the main shutoff valve where water enters the home (mechanical room, crawlspace, garage wall, or a curb stop outside).
Turn it off and open a nearby faucet to confirm water actually stops. Then turn it back on and check for weeps at the valve stem.
Learn where your water meter is and watch for movement when all fixtures are off—spinning can indicate a hidden leak.
If the valve sticks or drips, have us replace it. It’s a quick job that can save a floor someday.
2) Check your water pressure (and PRV)
Why it matters: Too much pressure wears out fixtures, supply lines, and water heaters. Too little feels miserable.
What to do:
Pick up an inexpensive gauge, screw it onto a hose bib or laundry tap, and note the reading at rest and when fixtures are running.
Ideal range is typically 50–65 psi for most homes.
If you’re above that, you may have (or need) a pressure-reducing valve (PRV). If you already have one and pressure is still high or swings a lot, the PRV may be due for adjustment or replacement.
3) Is your water heater living on borrowed time?
Why it matters: Few things ruin a day like cold showers—or a tank leak.
What to do:
Find the manufacture date on the label. Conventional tanks often last about 8–12 years depending on water quality and maintenance.
Listen while it heats: rumbling/popping is mineral sediment.
Inspect the temperature & pressure relief (TPR) valve discharge pipe—should be intact and not capped.
Look for moisture around the base, rust streaks, or crusty fittings.
If the tank is older, plan a pro flush and an anode rod check soon. When replacement makes sense, we can price standard and heat-pump options side-by-side.
4) Hard water reality check (Idaho edition)
Why it matters: Many Idaho communities have mineral-rich water. Scale narrows pipes, clogs aerators, and hammers water heaters.
What to do:
Peek at showerheads and faucet aerators. White crust? That’s hardness.
Clean aerators in white vinegar, then evaluate flow again.
If you see quick re-build or widespread scale, consider whole-home conditioning.
Not ready for a full system? Start with a water-heater flush, plus point-of-use protection for the dishwasher and ice maker.
5) Learn your sewer situation (city or septic) and find the cleanout
Why it matters: When a mainline clogs, knowing the cleanout location speeds help and reduces mess.
What to do:
Confirm whether you’re on city sewer or a septic system.
For city sewer: locate the main cleanout—often a white or black capped pipe inside the basement, in a utility room, or outside along the foundation. Clear the area so it’s accessible.
For septic: find the tank lid and schedule pumping per size/household. Ask about baffles and filter maintenance.
Old trees + older lines? A baseline camera inspection is smart once after move-in so you know what you’ve got (roots, offsets, Orangeburg/clay segments, bellies).
6) Freeze-prone zones: hose bibs, crawlspaces, and garages
Why it matters: Idaho fall/winter swings can split unprotected lines.
What to do:
Identify hose bib shutoffs inside the home; verify they work.
Before the first hard freeze: shut, drain, and cover outdoor spigots; disconnect hoses.
Inspect the garage and crawlspace for exposed water lines. Add foam sleeves, seal drafts, and keep the garage door closed during cold snaps.
Note any sinks or baths on exterior walls—open cabinet doors on the coldest nights to let warm air in.
7) Irrigation/backflow basics (so you pass testing)
Why it matters: Many Boise-area homes have irrigation with a backflow prevention assembly that requires annual testing. Failures are common after deep freezes.
What to do:
Find the brass assembly in the yard or box; note device type (PVB, DC, RP).
Inspect for cracked bonnets, missing caps, or leaking shutoffs.
Put a reminder for spring start-up + backflow test and fall blowout so you’re not scrambling mid-season.
8) Supply lines, angle stops, and hoses (tiny parts, big leaks)
Why it matters: The most common “surprise leak” isn’t a pipe—it’s the little braided hose behind a toilet or a brittle plastic line to a fridge.
What to do:
Inspect angle stops (the small shutoffs below sinks and toilets). If they’re frozen, seized, or corroded, budget replacements.
Replace plastic supply lines with braided stainless.
Check the washer hoses; if they’re rubber, upgrade to braided with new gaskets.
Look under sinks for P-trap leaks and signs of past drips (swollen cabinet base, staining).
9) Sump, floor drains, and garage drains (the forgotten safeguards)
Why it matters: These are your last line of defense against water where it doesn’t belong.
What to do:
If you have a sump pump, test it with a bucket of water; confirm the float moves freely and the check valve doesn’t chatter. Consider a battery backup if outages are common.
Pour a cup of water into rarely used floor drains to restore trap seals and keep sewer odor out.
In the garage, confirm the drain isn’t packed with sand or leaves.
10) Kitchen & bath performance: the day-to-day reality check
Why it matters: Small annoyances (slow drains, weak shower, gurgles) are early warnings.
What to do:
Shower flow: After cleaning the head, observe pressure; weak flow in multiple locations suggests upstream restriction or pressure issues.
Sink drains: If two or more drains are slow, it’s time for line cleaning (and possibly a camera), not just a bottle of chemicals.
Toilets: If a toilet needs frequent plunging, we’ll check the trapway and venting.
Disposal & air gap: Make sure the air gap isn’t spilling during dishwasher cycles; clean the cap and confirm the disposal knockout was removed if your dishwasher is new.
Optional: Five “move-in day” upgrades that punch above their weight
Smart leak sensors under sinks, near the washer, and by the water heater.
Whole-home shutoff + monitor (automatic shutoff if a pipe breaks).
Service valves at the water heater and irrigation to make maintenance painless.
High-efficiency PRV tuned to your comfort.
Insulated hose bib covers and foam sleeves for exposed runs.
We can bundle these into a short visit so you get peace of mind without project creep.
Red flags worth a same-day call
Water at a floor drain or sewage backing up into a tub/shower
Main shutoff won’t close or won’t stop dripping
Water heater leaking or showing rapid rusting at the base
Sudden spike in water bill with no obvious cause
Repeated gurgling across multiple fixtures when you flush
If any of these ring a bell, hit Contact and we’ll prioritize the visit.
Your printable 15-minute checklist
Find and test main shutoff; locate meter
Measure water pressure; note PRV presence
Inspect water heater age, TPR, sounds, and leaks
Clean aerators; note hard-water scale
Identify sewer setup and cleanout (or septic tank)
Map freeze-prone lines; prep hose bibs before cold snaps
Locate/inspect backflow device; plan test & blowout
Replace brittle or plastic supply lines; test angle stops
Test sump; re-prime floor drains; clear garage drain
Run kitchen/bath performance check; note slow drains or gurgles
Tape it inside your utility room door and you’re golden.
How A+ can help (in one easy visit)
During a New-Home Plumbing Check, we’ll:
Walk the list with you and label key valves.
Test pressure and recommend PRV adjustments if needed.
Evaluate the water heater and flush if due.
Camera the main if there are any slow-drain clues.
Spot-fix the little stuff (angle stops, supply lines, aerators) so the house is truly move-in ready.
Leave you with a clear plan and maintenance schedule tailored to Idaho’s seasons.
Ready to make the new place worry-free? Head to Contact to pick a time that works, or browse All Services to see everything we can bundle into a single visit.