It seems that plumbing problems to start right after a new house is purchased. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most frequent sites for these problems. Every homeowner has to deal with plumbing problem of some kind. Here are some ways to help you when that happens.
When it gets very cold, your pipes may freeze. If it does, relieve the pressure in the pipe by turning on the tap so the water can be released as the pipe thaws. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which would reduce the damage done to your house.
If you discover a frozen water pipe, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, preventing further damage.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground. As you do, see if the floor lacks sturdiness or feels otherwise soft. Early detection of the problem may save you a great deal of money over time.
Septic Tank
A great way to knock out your plumbing issues in one shot is to schedule everything at once. You might be tempted to contact a plumber every time you face a small problem, but if you have problems repaired all at once, you will have time to save money for the fixes. It also costs less because most plumbers will charge you per hour and include a minimum rate for coming out. If you call them out multiple times, those charges for them coming out will add up quickly.
Have your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.
Ensure overflow holes have not been clogged. Overflow holes exist to act as a double check in case of an overfilling sink. That may seem unimportant – but it will become a problem if they are clogged. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
Never put your hands to try fixing your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even an un-powered garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous.You can look online to find the diagram for your garbage disposal.
Having water leaking into the dishwasher, however annoying, is luckily an easy fix. The hose that runs from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher is not installed properly, and can be corrected quickly. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
Use filters on all drains to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. The bathtub’s strainers need to cleaned out as needed.
When it is time to replace your shower head, you should consider paying a little more for a better one. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. 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.
If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, this is likely a result of iron levels in the well water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which you could purchase at a local store, or by hiring a professional to come out.
Clean the buildup of sediment from your aerator to increase your water pressure if it’s low. Take the aerator off, disassemble it, and brush it clean with a little vinegar. Wash it off, put it back together and connect the aerator to the faucet. This technique causes the water pressure to rise via the removing of any blockage within the aerator.
By regularly using a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and citrus rinds, you can make sure that your garbage disposal is running well and smelling so clean it could be new.
Letting your sink run is not really necessary when you put something down the in-sink disposal unit. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a disposal can handle anything as long as they have water running when they turn it on. That is not true at all. Running water can help clear debris and keep the disposal’s temperature down, but it can also cause sticky materials to clog the disposal.
Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. Let it sit a few minutes, and then run boiling hot water down it. This process should be able to clear pipes by clearing out hair and soap scum.
If you are having trouble removing clean out plugs, there are a couple ways in which to resolve this. The first method you can try is using a chisel with a hammer to get the fitting loose. Your other option to try is to chisel through the out plug.
Always use cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal is running. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and encourage a smoother disposal.
If you require the services of a plumber, be sure to check them out prior to hiring them. Some plumbers may not be experienced or skilled enough to be able to handle some jobs, and can actually make the problem worse. Always check the reviews on plumbers, and ask those you trust if they have any recommendations.
Homeowners cause themselves a disservice by not having a little plumbing knowledge prior to a plumbing problem. If you own a home, you should have some basic plumbing equipment, and the knowledge of how to use it. The tips you learned here will assist you in dealing with whatever plumbing problems you encounter in the future.
If you have a toilet that is backing up, this can be from a blockage. If you can’t clear the blockage yourself, contact a professional plumber, who can insert a snake into the line to break up the blockage.
