A home improvement tap is a pipe fitting that connects your house’s sewer lateral (wastewater line) to the city’s sewer system, eliminating the need for a septic tank. It’s an important feature to consider if you want to build a new home or switch your old home from a septic tank to a city sewer connection. It’s not as simple as flipping a switch, though—you’ll need to file for permits and hire a contractor to make the hookup.
Home improvement taps also require some maintenance to keep them in good shape. You’ll need to regularly inspect the tap and the lateral to ensure that both are free of clogs. A clogged sewer tap could lead to wastewater backflow into your home, which can cause significant damage and expensive repairs.
The good news is that, as of late, the pace of home improvement spending has slowed down—partially due to Covid lockdowns and partly because homeowners appear to be deferring some of their larger renovation projects in favor of smaller ones. But that doesn’t mean the market for home improvements is dead. In fact, some credit cards offer 0 percent interest on home improvements for a limited period of time, allowing you to finance large upgrades without worrying about racking up high interest rates.