If you need to take on your own plumbing, you may be overwhelmed about what to do and where to begin. The tips laid out here can help you with what you need to be a skilled plumber.
If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them from bursting.
Do not pay your plumber until the job. You may need to pay some money in the beginning, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done. You should make sure that the plumber did a good job before they get your money.
To maintain a clean, well-functioning septic tank, it is recommended that you clean it out once every five years. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
Knowing which tools to use and how they are used will be a great help when you work on a plumbing job. Before undertaking repairs on your own, plan ahead, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, even if there is a serious problem with it. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. Use the web to locate a diagram or users manual for your device.
Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet.These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.
Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. This is a certain way to either slow your drainage or clog your drain entirely. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
Garbage Disposal
Orange or pink discoloration on your bathroom fixtures is a solid indication that your water contains too much iron. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.
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 your garbage disposal.
To make sure your garbage disposal last a long time, clean it regularly. In order to keep it clean, you can use a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds which will keep the disposal running smooth and smelling fresh.
Use filters on all drains to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. The bathtub’s strainers need to cleaned out as needed.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. This procedure should clear the pipes of soap scum and accumulated hair.
Don’t put fat, grease or fat into your drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposal; the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils away from the sink.
Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. If you use hot water, any grease that is in the disposal will turn to liquid, and sit inside of the drain, which can clog your pipes.
If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. 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.
As you’ve seen, plumbing is not that complicated. You just need the basics to get started. Once you’ve done a little research, gotten a little practice, and used a little common sense, it will be easy to figure out how to tackle a plumbing job and get it done successfully.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. Some people think they can get away with the cheapest version at the store. The problem with doing that is the cheaper shower heads are not known to be sturdy, and they tend to break easier.
