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 house faster than a major plumbing problem unfixed.
If your pipes freeze, turn on the water from the faucet nearest them to let water out when they start to thaw. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them from bursting.
Knowing what tools and how to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Before undertaking repairs on your own, you should have a plan; otherwise, or you may make a costly mistake.
You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.
If your toilet is clogged, there is a low level of water in toilet, and the plunger is not working, you can sometimes fix the problem by dumping warm water into your toilet at waist level (or maybe even a little higher). Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water goes back to a lower level.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even if the disposal is turned off, it can still be hazardous. Locate a diagram of the garbage disposal, or some sort of troubleshooter, online.
Garbage Disposal
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.
Never put your bare hands in your garbage disposal. Even when the garbage disposal presents significant danger. You can look online to get schematics or troubleshooting advice for the disposal that you have.
If your home has a well for water and there are pink or orange stains in the sinks and tubs, this could be due to high iron content in your water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.
Check the floors in your bathroom for soft areas around the floors. You can save a lot if you notice the problem as soon as possible.
If you want your garbage disposal to have the same lifespan as your total home, clean it regularly. Prevent unsavory disposal odors through regular use of citrus peel, cherry pits and dish detergent.
Don’t put oil, oil or grease down your drains. This can make your garbage disposal; fats and oils cause blades to run slower. Make sure you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. 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. Because most plumbers charge labor by the hour on top of a flat call rate, you can significantly reduce your bill by reducing the trips they make to your home.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, this could be due to high iron content in your water. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which you can buy at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
Check overflow holes to make sure there’s no clog. 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.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, most likely this is due to a faulty setup of the hose that leads from the kitchen sink. The hose from your sink to your dishwasher has to go up and then down so that there is no mixing between fixtures.
Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The blades will stay sharper, and the overall disposal process will run smoother. Running hot water down the drain while you are using the garbage disposal can cause the drain to clog from any grease that is in there liquefying.
Frozen pipes can be a large plumbing bill. The first thing to do is make sure that all of the outside pipes and ensure they are well insulated. Before winter, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. This can save you money on pipe repairs over time.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
Check your toilet regularly for any leaks. An easy way to determine this is to drop some food coloring into the toilet tank. Watch your toilet bowl, and if you see colored water within a few seconds, you will know you have something that has to be taken care of.
Most people run water in their sink when using their garbage disposal. 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. However, some advice that it can prevent garbage sticking to your disposal, preventing damage. Read your product guide for instructions.
Many individuals have no idea what is involved in plumbing, so they will pay whatever price the plumber demands. If you own your home, you should do what you can to educate yourself about plumbing so that you are not taking a plumber’s work and word on faith. This will ensure that you off.
Try not to use drain cleaners too often, it at all. The chemicals in these type of cleaners are corrosive, and they could damage your pipes by using them too much. If your drain is clogged, hire a pro to figure out the problem.
Drain Cleaners
If you are having trouble removing a clean-out plug, there are two ways to do it. A hammer and chisel can be used to slacken the fitting. If that fails, you must chisel a hole in the plug.
Choose which drain cleaners wisely. Some drain cleaners contain chemicals which could cause damage to your pipes. Choose a drain cleaner that claims to be easy on pipes.
It is always a good idea to do your research before hiring a plumber to come and do work in your home. Some plumbers do not have the experience to deal with certain problems, and may make matters worse. Look for reviews on the internet, and ask your friends and family if they can recommend a good plumber.
A pipe snake can clean out your washing machine’s drain stack if it backs up.
If sewage is overflowing your toilet, then check the connection between your home’s sewage line and the city sewage line. If you are unable to fix the blockage, you will need to hire a professional to run a snake in the line to clean it.
Knowing about plumbing systems and preparing for issues beforehand are the best ways to stop plumbing problems. You will make better decisions if you know what can damage your plumbing system. The owner who does research and prepares for a problem before it happens will more easily repair the problem quickly.
Valves that are not used often can get fused together. You have to turn them often to avoid sticking, and keep penetrating them with oil.
