There are lots of things that can go wrong with plumbing. Some things might be an easy fix for you, while others can become quite a bit more difficult. Whatever the problem, you need to be educated about plumbing so you will know if you need to call a plumber, or if you can fix it yourself.
You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. Study before any do it yourself project by reading any relevant manuals, going online and even making trips to your local public library. Be sure to plan before starting a repair, because it can be expensive to fix mistakes.
Have a professional flush your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it working well. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets in your toilet. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
If your toilet gets clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and the plunger is not working, but be sure to pour it from a height that is waist level or above so you do not flood the bathroom. Do this every time the water level dips back down again.
Place a strainer over the drains to collect anything that could clog and cause stoppage. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out as needed.
Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the toilet to determine floor damage. You can save money if you notice these problems early.
Schedule all the plumbing work at one time. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but saving your plumbing issues for one time can let you put that money back into repairs. It can also save money since most plumbers will charge you by the hour. Coming out just once will cut down on the time it takes, making your bill smaller.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, it’s because of the iron level in the water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
Look at the overflow holes to ensure they aren’t clogged up. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Make sure to clean out the overflow holes each time you do maintenance checks on your sinks.
You can use dish soap, lemon peels, and even cherry pits.
To lessen the chances of toilet problems, do not use as a place to put trash. Do not flush things like paper towels, sanitary pads, tissues, diapers, cotton balls or anything else that might cause the toilet to get clogged. You will also want to use the least amount of toilet paper as required.
Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Plug the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. Wait for a little while, and then use boiling water to flush. This should clear pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
If you need to replace your shower head, make sure that you buy a new one that is high quality. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head. However, they are inexpensive for a reason, this being that they are cheaply made and tend to break a lot easier.
Use cold water when you run your garbage disposal. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and allows for smoother disposal.
Applying prevention measures is key to preventing plumbing issues. One of the major repairs is clogs. Hair can clog drains. There are ways around this; you can use a drain cover or screen which is actually designed in order to keep your pipes and drain free of hair. It is easy to get the hair out of a screen; however, removing it from a pipe is a different story.
After reading this article, you know some of the different plumbing problems that you can encounter whether large or small. The information in this article should help to prepare you to face those problems with knowledge and confidence.
Frozen pipes can lead to a large plumbing bill. This, however, is typically preventable. Insulate the pipes that run outside with proper material. When it is cold outside make sure you bring in your hoses or at least drain them. Making sure that all of this is done will have you a lot of money in plumbing bills.
