Ah, consumer expectations. They just keep changing and evolving. And, if you’re like most business owners, you’ve probably noticed that consumers now expect you to anticipate what they might want and need before they even know it themselves. You can thank companies like Amazon and Netflix and their algorithms that anticipate customer preferences for that.

The basics of plumbing are just that, basic. Pipes, toilets, faucets, general repairs, new installations, maintenance and a whole host of other services you’ve probably perfected over years in the business.

But now, newer offerings and technologies (and even current tech that customers might not be aware of) are opening the floodgates for plumbers, giving customers options to upgrade their plumbing, and giving you an opportunity to expand your services. Here are a few of what we’re seeing out there.

Whole home water filtration. Every day, it seems, there’s a new report about water quality. It wasn’t too long ago that people didn’t think twice about the water coming out of their tap. Now, it’s a big issue. From aging lead pipes to the water quality itself, consumers are concerned. Water filters that homeowners can install on their kitchen faucets are a good start, but a better option is a whole home water filtration system. Tap into this growing market by offering installation and maintenance!

Water conservation technology in the home. Customers, especially those in younger demographics, are also concerned about water conservation. Not just for savings on their water bill, but for the good of the planet, too. Low-flow showerheads, smart toilets and touchless faucets are great ways to save water at home.

Greywater recycling systems. This kicks the concept of water conservation up several notches. These systems treat wastewater from (non-toilet) plumbing systems like showers, sinks, tubs, dishwashers and washing machines. Of course, you can’t drink it, but it can be used for gardening and irrigation and in your yard in various ways. There are also new systems that are a single unit of a toilet and a sink, wherein the water that drains from the sink when you wash your hands fills up the toilet tank, so you’re not using fresh, filtered water to flush. These are very popular in Japan right now and are slowly gaining ground in the U.S. Prediction: this will be a huge market.

Smart everything. Faucets, toilets, pipes, water tanks, filters – you name it, if it’s not “smart” now, it soon will be. Paired with an app, this technology lets homeowners monitor and control the water in their home.

Yard sprinkler systems. Sprinklers got a bad rap recently in areas of the country experiencing droughts and water shortages. But new technologies are making sprinklers green again. Features like precision watering, which minimizes evaporating and runoff; app-controlled scheduling allowing customers to water only when it’s needed and at the most optimal times of the day; water saving technologies like sensors that turn off sprinklers if it starts raining; and zone control allowing customers to water different plants and grasses based on their water needs versus blanketing the whole yard and garden with the same amount.

Many of these new technologies require expert installation and maintenance, and that’s where you come in! It’s about staying on top of what’s new out there in order to better serve your customers.