How much do you really know about plumbing? How would you like to improve it? Overall, where do you suppose your plumbing skill-set falls on the spectrum? If you are somewhat vague on the answers to these questions, read on for some useful and insightful tips that can help.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the pipes thaw. At worst, they will burst and you’ll be paying to repair the damage.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. Doing so provides pressure relief, and might spare you the damage of a burst pipe.
Don’t pay a plumber midway through the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You will feel better paying the bill when you are completely satisfied with the job.
Know your plumbing tools and exactly how to use them before you start on any plumbing repair. Read each and every manual, and utilize the information that can be found in libraries and the Internet about do-it-yourself projects. You need to conduct research before attempting a repair, because it could be expensive to correct an error.
You can unclog a toilet by pouring warm water in the bowl from waist level. The water should go down, and you can pour another bucket of water if the toilet is still clogged.
Check the floor for soft areas around the toilet to determine floor damage. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. When you have a problem like this to deal with, the earlier you detect it, the less expensive it will be to take care of.
Maintain smooth functioning of the drain in your bathtub by dropping baking soda and then vinegar down it on a monthly basis. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes.
Overflow Holes
Be sure that the overflow holes are free of debris. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem–until it is. Make sure to clean out the overflow holes each time you do maintenance checks on your sinks.
Many shower heads are available that can help you to save money on your water bill. Most of your water bills comes from the water you use to shower. When you invest in energy-efficient shower heads, you will save around $100 a year for every shower head.
If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. The hose must lead uphill then back downhill to prevent the combining of water from each device.
Have you gained valuable information about plumbing? Do you now understand what system your house has? Have your plumbing skills increased? Are you able to now utilize items that are compatible with your specific type of system? Are you sure how to use the equipment in a proper manner? Feel confident in your new insights and apply the knowledge as needed.