Water may be needed to live, but it is sometimes a nemesis to a homeowner with plumbing problems. There are not many things more devastating to a house faster than a major plumbing problem unfixed.
To keep your pipes from getting frozen, always maintain a temperature in the house above freezing and make sure all pipes exposed to outside elements are insulated properly. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. At best, it can take time for them to thaw and for you to be able to have running water. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are actually a lot easier to fix than you would imagine. You will need to anchor all exposed pipes.
Your septic tank should be pumped out at least once every five years if you want it to stay in optimum working order. This keeps the sediment from building in the tank, which can cause septic tank failure or backup into your house. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, 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.
Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet.These products may well remove odors, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.
The areas of floor around your toilets are particularly susceptible to water damage; here’s how you can check them. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. By noticing a problem early on, you can save yourself a bunch of money if you were to leave it alone.
Garbage Disposal
Avoid dumping oil, fat, and grease in your drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. As an owner of a garbage disposal, this is important because the blades will stop working if they have fat on them. Dispose of your oils in a coffee can or other suitable container instead of your sink.
Never use 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 search online to find the diagram for the disposal that you have.
Schedule one plumber to take care of all your issues in one single visit. Rather than calling a plumber every time there is a minor problem, taking care of everything at once allows you to save money for additional repairs down the road. You will also save because plumbers usually charge hourly rates, so hours they can charge you are reduced if there is only one trip made.
Avoid dumping oil, grease, and other oils into your drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fats will make the blades turn more slowly and less freely. Make sure you dispose of all oils away from the sink.
If you have frozen pipes that can be a very costly repair. However, this problem can be prevented. First, you need to check your outside pipe to make sure it has the proper insulation. When the temperature dips, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. This can save some serious money on pipe repairs over time.
Schedule your plumbing work at one time. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but kicking the can on some issues until you have a list means you can save a few bucks. Most plumbers have an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one visit to your home.
Do this little test to investigate whether your toilet leaks. A good tip for this is to take food coloring and put a few drops in your toilet tank. Look at its bowl, then if you spot any colored water within just a few seconds, there’s an issue that must be dealt with soon.
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Plug up the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. Wait a while, then flush with boiling water. This method should clear pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
A common problem with toilets is that sewage will on will back up and flow into the toilet. This happens because of a blockage within the branch lines that connect the main line to the sewage line. If you can’t manage this blockage, a plumber can put a snake through to clear it out.
Knowing how plumbing works, having a good idea of how to fix things, and keeping basic plumbing materials at hand will help avoid major plumbing problems. Any homeowner who is willing to learn more about plumbing will have more favorable outcomes from maintenance and repairs; this may also make the home much safer. Also, a homeowner who researches solutions before working on plumbing will avoid potential disasters.
Consult your Department of Consumer Affair if you’re looking to hire a plumbing contractor. By doing this you can see if they have any problems with their license and heck on reviews about the quality of their work. Their license must be current and in good standing, otherwise you do not want them in your home.
