It is common for plumbing problems to start right after a new house is purchased. These problems are usually in bathrooms and kitchens.Every homeowner has to deal with a plumbing problem of some kind.This advice for dealing with a wide variety of plumbing problems as painless as possible.
Noisy pipes are actually a lot easier to fix than you would imagine. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. You might want to contact a professional when the pipes are hard to access.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around it is below 32 degrees. It takes time in order for thawing to occur so that you can have water again. However, they could burst, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.
If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.
Septic Tank
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. The rubber parts of your system can be damaged by the chemicals contained in these tablets and stop functioning.
Have your septic tank every five years or so to keep it in prime condition. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Position a strainer over all drains to collect any particles that would otherwise go down the drain and possibly cause a stoppage. Clean out the one in the kitchen whenever there’s something trapped there that shouldn’t be. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.
Knowing what tools and the proper way to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Be sure to plan before starting a repair, it could very expensive to fix the mistake.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. Keep your garbage disposal fresh and running by using dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds regularly.
Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet.These may deodorize, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. While you may be tempted to call the plumber whenever you have a slight problem, scheduling it all at once gives you the opportunity to save money to pay for the repairs. Doing this can also save you money, since it’s common for plumbers to charge hourly rates. It’ll condense the total amount of time they need to spend to something you can more easily afford.
If you are unable to relieve a clogged toilet with a plunger, pour some extra water in the bowl to make the plunger effective again. Repeat this once your water returns back to a lower level.
Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. These holes come into use if the skin overflows. Things can get problematic if they are clogged. As you routinely look for things needing attention, check to be sure that the overflow holes are clear and unblocked.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. The bathtub’s strainers need to cleaned out as needed.
If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch — start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won’t be an issue.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, that is from iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which you could purchase at a local store, or by hiring a professional to come out.
If you want avoid future issues with your toilet, don’t treat it like 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, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
Chemical Reaction
If you’ve got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. In a lot of instances, folks decide they can get away with purchasing the most economical model on the shelf. This is not the case though. The cheaper models usually are low quality and will break easier than a high quality fixture.
Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction to occur. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush with boiling water. This procedure should help clear your pipes of hair build-up and soap scum.
Fix issues with low water pressure by cleaning sediment buildup out of your faucet’s aerator. To clean the aerator, you first want to disassemble the faucet and remove it. After that, remove the aerator and scrub it clean with a fine brush. You can use vinegar or some other type of cleaning solution to assist in the task. Finally, rinse off the aerator, put it back together and then reattach it to your faucet. Once the aerator has been cleared, your water pressure should improve.
Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot on your energy bill. The shower uses most of the hot water is consumed by showers. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
It is important not to run water while using a garbage disposal. A lot of people assume that running water while running the disposal will help the contents to flush through better, but really this is not helpful. In some cases, water can actually cause garbage to become lodged in awkward places, and contribute to future problems.
Clean your dryer’s lint filter. This will help your dryer operates efficiently and prevents fires. Be sure you inspect your lint trap for tears or holes that could mean lint is going into your pipes, because this can cause bigger problems as it may mean that lint is escaping into your pipes.
Check with the Department of Consumer Affairs when shopping for a good plumbing contractor. They will tell you if their licenses are all up to date or if they have received any negative feedback. They need to have a valid license, or they should not do any work in homes.
Prevention is necessary when you want to keep plumbing repair bills down. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a plumber. Drains are easily get clogged by hair. It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair out of a screen than to pull it from a pipe.
Locate the main water shut-off for your property before you start any DIY plumbing projects. You’ll find a water meter right on it or near by. Water fixtures typically have a cut-off valve of their own. You will want to make your family aware of the location of each valve, and add markings that give directions on how to shut each one off whenever an emergency arises.
Being unprepared when an issue with plumbing strikes is not advisable. Everyone who owns a house should know a few plumbing repair tips, as well as an understanding of basic tools. If a plumbing problem arises in your future, the information you read in this article should help you deal with it.
As most people don’t have a clue about plumbing, they will tend to pay whatever the plumber charges, no matter how large. If you own your own home, you owe it to yoruself and your wallet to learn enough about plumbing basics to at least understand what a plumber is doing and why. If you’re armed with knowledge, you’re much less likely to be ripped off.
