5 Plumbing Upgrades That Add Value to Your Endicott Home
Tax refund season is here, and if you're a Southern Tier homeowner weighing how to put that money to work, plumbing upgrades deserve a spot on your list. They're not the flashiest home improvement — nobody's posting their new water heater on social media — but they deliver something better than curb appeal. They save you money every month, prevent costly emergencies, and add genuine resale value to your home.
The Greater Binghamton area's housing stock is full of homes built in the 1960s through 1980s, and many of them are running on original or near-original plumbing components. That means aging water heaters, outdated fixtures, and systems that weren't designed for today's appliances and water usage patterns. With nearly two decades of experience serving homeowners across Binghamton, Vestal, Endwell, and the surrounding area, Action Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has seen firsthand which upgrades deliver the best return. Here are five worth considering.
1. Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it's living on borrowed time. Traditional tank water heaters work by keeping 40 to 50 gallons of water hot around the clock — whether you're using it or not. That constant energy draw accounts for a significant portion of your utility bills, and as the tank ages, sediment buildup makes it work even harder.
A tankless water heater installation eliminates that standby energy loss entirely. Tankless units heat water on demand as it flows through the system, so you only pay to heat the water you actually use. For a family of four in Binghamton, that can translate to meaningful savings over the course of a year. Tankless units also last significantly longer than traditional tanks — often 20 years or more with proper maintenance — and they take up a fraction of the space.
If you're not ready for a full tankless conversion, even upgrading to a newer, more efficient traditional water heater can improve efficiency and reliability. Our team can help you weigh the options based on your household's hot water usage and your home's existing setup. Curious whether your current water heater is nearing the end of its life? Here's how to spot the signs that it's time for a replacement.
2. Install a Sump Pump
Basement flooding is a real and recurring concern for homeowners throughout Broome County. Heavy spring rains, snowmelt, and the remnants of tropical storms that occasionally track up through the Southern Tier can overwhelm basement drainage in older homes. If your home doesn't already have a sump pump, you're relying on gravity and luck — and neither is reliable.
A sump pump installation is one of the most practical investments you can make to protect your home. The pump collects water that accumulates under your foundation and channels it safely away from your home before it can cause damage. For homes with finished basements — where a flood means losing carpet, drywall, furniture, and personal belongings — a sump pump is essential, not optional.
If you already have a sump pump that's more than seven to ten years old, it may be time for a replacement. An aging pump that fails during a heavy rainstorm won't do you much good. Not sure if your basement needs one? Here are the telltale signs you should install a sump pump.
3. Replace an Old Garbage Disposal
A working garbage disposal is one of those things you don't think about until it breaks. And when it does — usually in the middle of Thanksgiving prep or a dinner party — it brings your kitchen to a standstill. Older disposals also tend to jam frequently, develop leaks at the flange, and struggle with anything beyond the softest food scraps.
A new garbage disposal installation is a relatively quick and affordable upgrade that makes a noticeable difference in your kitchen's daily functionality. Modern disposals are quieter, more powerful, and more resistant to jamming than models from even ten years ago. They also help reduce the amount of food waste going into your trash, which means fewer heavy garbage bags and less odor in your kitchen between pickups.
If your kitchen sink is slow to drain even with the disposal off, the issue may be further down the line. Our plumbers can assess whether the problem is the disposal itself or a kitchen drain that needs clearing.
4. Add a Dishwasher or Upgrade an Aging One
It might surprise you to learn that some homes in the Binghamton area — particularly older ranches and smaller homes built before dishwashers were standard — still don't have one. For families washing dishes by hand every night, a dishwasher installation is a quality-of-life upgrade that also happens to save water. Modern dishwashers use as little as three gallons per cycle compared to the 20 or more gallons typical of hand washing.
Even if your home already has a dishwasher, upgrading an older model can reduce both water and energy usage. New ENERGY STAR-rated dishwashers are significantly more efficient than units from the early 2000s. The plumbing side of a dishwasher installation or replacement involves connecting water supply lines and drain lines properly — work that should always be done by a licensed plumber to prevent leaks and ensure code compliance.
5. Upgrade Your Water Supply Lines
This is the upgrade most homeowners don't think about until something goes wrong. The water lines running through your home — from the main shutoff to every faucet, toilet, and appliance — deteriorate over time. Galvanized steel pipes, common in homes built before the 1980s, corrode from the inside out, gradually restricting water flow and introducing rust into your water. Older flexible supply lines under sinks and behind toilets can crack or burst without warning, causing significant water damage.
A proactive water line upgrade replaces aging supply lines with modern materials that resist corrosion, handle pressure better, and last far longer. If you've noticed reduced water pressure at certain fixtures, discolored water when you first turn on a faucet, or you know your home still has original galvanized plumbing, it's worth having a professional assessment. Replacing supply lines before they fail is far less expensive and disruptive than dealing with the aftermath of a burst line — especially one that lets go while you're at work.
For homeowners on well water, maintaining your well pump system is equally important. Aging well pumps lose efficiency over time and can cause pressure fluctuations throughout your home.
When to Call Action Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling
Whether you're planning a single upgrade or thinking about tackling a few of these projects this spring, our team can help you prioritize based on your home's specific needs and your budget. We know every Southern Tier household has different priorities — and we'll always give you an honest assessment of what's most urgent versus what can wait.
- Your water heater is more than 10 years old or showing signs of trouble
- Your basement has experienced any moisture or flooding issues
- You're dealing with old, corroded supply lines or reduced water pressure
- Your kitchen could benefit from a new disposal or dishwasher installation
- You want to improve your home's value before listing it for sale
Action Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has been the trusted plumbing partner for Greater Binghamton homeowners since 2006. Our experienced technicians provide honest advice, transparent pricing, and quality workmanship on every job. Call us today at (607) 205-1177 or request your free estimate online. Let's make this the year you cross those plumbing upgrades off your list.
