Many people think do-it-yourself plumbing is difficult. As long as you can find some accurate information to assist you in making repairs, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. You can be well on the way to a successful plumbing project, if you make use of the tips you’ll find below.
If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This helps to relieve the pressure in the pipe and may prevent bursting, which can prevent further damage to your home.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or “give” in the floor. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
Never pour grease or anything fatty or oily into your drain. Grease hardens when it cools and will clog your pipes. Grease is of particular concern when there is a disposal unit installed in your drain. It can cause the unit to lose efficiency. Keep a container in your kitchen that is used specifically for discarded grease.
Garbage Disposal
Make sure that you’re always cleaning your garbage disposal regularly. Doing this will save you from having to repair or replace an expensive piece of equipment in the future. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.
Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes divert water when a sink starts to fill up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be a big problem if there is a clog. When checking for potential problems and repairs, you should also remove obstructions from the overflow holes.
If you operate the disposal on your sink, run plenty of cool water. Cold water helps the blades stay sharp and keeps the disposal running smoothly. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.
To minimize potential problems with your toilet, avoid using it as a trash receptacle. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials, because these things don’t dissolve and could clog up your toilet. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
If you need to replace your shower head, make sure that you buy a new one that is high quality. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. The problem about this is they aren’t sturdy and they tend to break a lot easier.
Enzyme Based
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. Enzyme based cleaners use “good” bacteria to transform the clog into a liquid, which will remove it from pipes. The best these days are the enzyme cleaners.
Be sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety. Regularly check your dryer’s lint trap to see if it has any tears or holes that could potentially damage your dryer, and clog up your plumbing.
Correct low water pressure problems caused by sediment buildup by cleaning the aerator. Take the aerator apart and clean it with a brush and some vinegar. Rinse the piece, put it back together, and put it back on the faucet. Clean the aerator, it might increase your water pressure.
Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners as often as you can. There are some harsh, corrosive chemicals found in these drain cleaners. That’s why they work so well to knock out clogs. Over time, they will corrode your pipes. Instead, if you find your drain is blocked up, look at hiring a professional to come out and look at it to see what the problem is.
Make sure your toilet is not leaking. To check, squeeze a few food coloring drops in the toilet tank. Watch the bowl, and if you see colored water within a few seconds, you know that you have a problem that needs to be handled soon.
Be very careful when you are selecting drain cleaners. Some of them contain strong chemical agents that will damage your pipes. Pick a brand that will be gentle on your pipes. Harsh chemicals can destroy the helpful bacteria in your system which will lead to other problems and many chemicals are very harmful to humans.
If you are starting to install a water heater and see a pipe going out from the drainage area, be sure to reconnect that pipe. The recirculation pipe helps hot water circulate through your plumbing system so that you won’t waste water while heating it.
If you see water dripping into your walls, it is crucial that you shut off your water supply and call a plumber immediately. This could be evidence of a major problem with your plumbing. If unchecked, these issues can lead to mold, mildew or flooding in your home.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.