Water may be needed to live, but it can also be a nemesis to the frustrated homeowner dealing with plumbing problems. There are not many things more devastating to a home’s structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.
If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. Doing so provides pressure relief, and might spare you the damage of a burst pipe.
Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet.These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
If you want to maintain effective functionality in your spetic tank, pumping it out twice a decade is a really good idea. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
Don’t put oil, grease or fat down the drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less freely. Make certain you dispose of oils away from the sink.
Never pay a plumber until the job is complete. Sometimes plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction. It is a good thing to know the plumber did his job as he agreed to before he get’s all of his money.
By having a regular cleaning routine, lemon rinds, dish soap and even pits from a cherry, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.
If your garbage disposal is giving you problems, never stick your hand in it to fix it yourself. A garbage disposal can be dangerous, even when it is not on. Go online and search for sketch of your disposal, or a troubleshooter.
Schedule all the plumbing work simultaneously. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but having multiple repairs done at once allows you to save up for the cost. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one trip is cheaper than calling them more than once.
Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. You should clean your strainer in your kitchen anytime you have anything in it. The bathtub strainer will prevent hair from clogging up your drain.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. After a few minutes, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. This should help clear pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Keep grease, fat and oil out of your kitchen drain. When they cool, they’ll harden and clog your drain. Especially if you operate a garbage disposal, the fat causes blades to be less efficient. Be sure to get rid of oil products away from your sink.
Overflow Holes
If your home uses well water and orange or pink stains become noticeable in your bathtub or in other fixtures, this occurs when the water has too much iron. A water softener is the easiest way to solve hard water problems relating to rust, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
Ensure your overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. Clear the overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. If a problem is minor, it can be wise to put off repair until you have more than one item to fix. This also gives you time to save up for the needed repairs. This can save you money since plumbers generally charge hourly, as they can’t charge multiple hours per trip if it’s only one trip out.
Some people think it’s alright to get away with the cheapest version at the store. The issue with this is that they are not very sturdy and can break.
Keep your bathtub drain running well by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain each month. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. Let that sit for a while, and then run boiling hot water down it. Doing this will help rid your pipes of disgusting soap scum and blockages.
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes.These types of cleaners will use natural bacteria so that the sludge will turn into liquid form, and remove it from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners are efficient and will not corrosive so they won’t erode your pipes.
Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes divert water when a sink starts to fill up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be a big problem if there is a clog. Clear out your sink’s overflow holes every so often, while checking for any other problems or necessary repairs.
Clean the aerator to if you are dealing with low water pressure issues which result from sediment build up. Take the aerator off, pull it apart, and brush it clean with a little vinegar.
If you run your garbage disposal after working in the kitchen, use a large quantity of cold water. Cold water keeps blades sharp and allows for smoother disposal. When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.
Try not to use of dry cleaners as often as you can. Drain cleaners are composed of extremely corrosive chemicals and can cause damage pipes if used too much. If your drain is clogged, it is better to hire a professional to see what is causing it.
To minimize potential problems with your toilet, avoid using it as a trash receptacle. If you flush improper items such as disposable diapers, facial tissue, cotton balls, paper toweling, tampons or sanitary napkins down the toilet, you will surely have problems with clogs. As well, keep your toilet paper usage to as little as possible.
You can avoid plumbing issues if you know what to do and have the tools at hand to work with. A person that learns the basics will make less mistakes and avoid hazardous plumbing situations. A homeowner who knows something about plumbing can often fix issues before they become major crises.
Frozen pipes can do very extensive and expensive damage. Thankfully, you can prevent your pipes from freezing. Insulate your outside pipes. When the temperature dips, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. Taking proper precautions can save you lots of money on plumbing bills.
