When you make a list of all the latest trends that you want to keep an eye on going into a new year, "plumbing-related advancements" won't necessarily rank high on the list - if they happen to make it at all. But the truth is that the world around us continues to evolve at a break-neck pace and the plumbing industry is absolutely no exception. There are a number of really interesting plumbing trends in particular that you're going to want to keep an eye on in 2019 and beyond.

The Future of Plumbing Maintenance Is Here

Gone are the days where diagnosing even simple plumbing problems used to require tearing your entire system apart just to get to the root of the matter. These days, a number of providers use a series of specially designed cameras to locate everything from leaky pipes to blocked drains with relative ease. Not only does this help save a tremendous amount of time and effort, but you can even get a live video feed of what is going on with your pipes at the same time - giving you the confidence that comes with knowing you're not being taken advantage of.

Hands-Free Fixtures Are Here to Stay

Hands-free faucets, sinks and other fixtures have long been a staple of office buildings, retail stores, and other public spaces. 2018, however, may be the year where they're ready for prime time - and your home.

Many plumbing companies and homeowners are turning to hands-free plumbing fixtures to help save water - something that can also help reduce the cost of your monthly utility bills at the exact same time. Hands-free plumbing fixtures are also naturally more hygienic than their more traditional counterparts, something that doesn't stop being true just because you're in the comfort of your own home.

Tankless Water Heaters Are Here to Stay

Tankless water heaters have been around for years, but for many, their initial cost far outweighed the benefits that they brought to the table. Thankfully, as technology has continued to advance the cost of these units has come down dramatically - meaning that if you're getting ready to replace your water heater, now would be the perfect time to make the jump

Tankless water heaters aren't just more energy efficient than their traditional counterparts, but they also overcome a massive issue that homeowners have battled for decades: standby heat losses. In general, tankless water heaters are also far safer to operate - something that you'll appreciate when you don't have to deal with a flooded basement or utility closet at any point in the near future. As modern day tankless units are also incredibly energy efficient, even the initial money that you do put forward on the investment will likely pay for itself sooner rather than later by way of the amount of money you're saving each month on your utility bills (are you noticing a common theme in some of these trends, yet?)

These are just a few of the major plumbing trends to keep an eye out for going into 2019 and beyond. When you consider just how far the industry has come in even the last five years, it's exciting to think about what the next five may hold for us all.