Current Trends in the Plumbing Industry

The plumbing industry has experienced countless changes, allowing it to offer its customers improved products and services. Since the industry started to embrace technology, going to the home improvement store has never been the same. Innovative products can be found everywhere -- it’s no surprise that the major plumbing trends of 2021 look like they came out of a sci-fi movie!

Here are some of the plumbing trends to expect this year:

#1 Rise of Smart Plumbing Fixtures

The majority of today’s homebuyers belong to Generations X and Y. What do these customers have in common? The desire for modern technology. This means that ‘old school’ plumbing systems, such as the ones found in traditional toilets, won’t make the cut anymore. In 2020, the plumbing industry can expect smart plumbing to rise in popularity. This isn’t a surprise, since in 2019, the global market for smart toilets soared to $3 billion.

#2 Popularity of Self-Cleaning Toilets

No one likes cleaning the bathroom. No one wants to bend over the toilet to scrub down all of the gunk and grime. And with hygiene becoming everyone’s priority due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that one of the most anticipated plumbing trends of 2021 is self-cleaning toilets. They keep themselves clean through a liquid cleaner that is automatically ‘swirled’ inside the toilet when the self-cleaning feature is activated. Other versions of self-cleaning toilets even have electrolyzed water and ultraviolet light.

#3 Demand For Touchless Fixtures

Touchless plumbing fixtures, such as touchless faucets and touchless toilets, are normally found in commercial establishments. However, they are slowly finding their way into residences. These touchless plumbing fixtures use motion-sensor technology, which signals when they should turn the water on or off. Compared to traditional fixtures, they are more efficient and cost-effective. They also help prevent the spread of illnesses, which is useful since sanitation is one of the most important considerations today.

#4 Customer Awareness, Going Green

Customers are increasingly becoming environmentally conscious. They are aware of the impacts of their choices and are proactively looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. ‘Going green’ isn’t just a fad anymore -- it’s a way of living.

The plumbing industry is going to see a rising demand for ‘green’ products and solutions, such as green dishwashers that can save as much as 700 gallons of water per year, as well as green sprinkler systems that can automatically turn on or off depending on the moisture levels on the ground.

#5 Smart Technology for Consumers and Plumbers

Today’s consumers are aware of the environmental impacts of the products and services that they use. They’re also very tech-savvy. This is why smart technology is going to dominate the plumbing industry in 2021 and beyond. People need ways to remotely control their plumbing fixtures, whether it’s through their smartphones, tablets, computers, and so on.

This, however, isn’t limited to consumers. By embracing high-tech solutions, professional plumbers may be able to provide improved customer service and expand their business.

Conclusion

As you can see, most of the current trends in the plumbing industry involve going ‘smart’. While there are more plumbing trends to expect, the trends mentioned above are the ones that are most likely to take center stage in 2021.