Now is a great time to become more about plumbing. You may have thought of doing it before now, but just never set the time aside to do so.
If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, even if the house is vacant. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below freezing. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw so that you can have running water. However, frozen pipes often burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
Never pay a plumber until the job is complete. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly. It is a good thing to know the plumber did his job as he agreed to before he get’s all of his money.
If you have a frozen pipe, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.
Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. The rubber parts of your system can be damaged by the chemicals contained in these tablets and stop functioning.
Septic Tank
Keep a strainer over every drain in your house to prevent stray debris from clogging your pipes. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years or so to keep it in prime condition. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.
Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. This is a certain way to either slow your drainage or clog your drain entirely. This can make your garbage disposal run slower. Get rid of any fat or oils outside or in the garbage can.
Knowing your tools are what and how to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Before undertaking repairs on your own, plan ahead, or you may make a costly mistake.
To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place. After waiting a few minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. This simple solution can break up clogs caused by everything from hair to soap scum.
If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and your water level inside of the toilet appears low, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. Repeat this once your water returns back to a lower level.
Save money by getting better shower heads. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
If your home operates on well water and you notice pink or orange stains in your bathtub and other fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which you could purchase at a local store, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.
To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Also, use as little toilet paper as possible to clean yourself properly.
Having knowledge about plumbing is very valuable. You’ll be a useful resource for your friends and family, and you can save a lot of money, too. Hopefully, you have found this information to be of use and interesting.
When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. Cheap shower heads are not well-made and are very likely to break. Buying a cheap shower head will end up costing you more money over the long-term.
