Homeowners who have no significant knowledge of plumbing can have a headache trying to figure out how to fix their plumbing. If you hire a professional plumber you are looking at a wait time and pretty costly repairs, most likely for something that can easily be solved on your own. Read the tips below to learn how to handle plumbing problems easily!
If the water in your toilet is low along with the toilet being clogged, pour some extra water in the bowl to make the plunger effective again. This procedure can be repeated if the water level again returns to a level that is too low.
Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal stops working, never try to fix it by reaching down with your hands. Even an un-powered garbage disposal presents significant danger. Troubleshooting techniques and schematics of your garbage disposal are available on the Internet.
You can check for damage to the floors around the toilets by checking for soft areas. Do this by straddling the commode and rocking from side to side. You are looking for any feelings of weakness or softening of the floor itself. You could save money if you notice these problems early.
A strainer should be placed over all the drains in order to gather particles that would just get in the drain and potentially cause stoppage. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned. Keep the bathroom drains cleaned out too.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. You can use water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.
Here is a good tip for a safe, inexpensive way to keep the drain in your bathtub trouble-free. Take one cup of baking soda and pour it into the drain. Then do the same with a cup of vinegar. Do this procedure once a month. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place. Wait a while, then flush it with boiling water. This procedure should be able to clear pipes of hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Look at the overflow holes to ensure they aren’t clogged up. 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. Clear out your sink’s overflow holes every so often, while checking for any other problems or necessary repairs.
You can drastically reduce your utility bills with the installation of shower heads designed for better efficiency. Most of the hot water we use is from showering. When you install energy-efficient heads in each bathroom, you will save around 100 dollars or more per shower.
An incorrectly installed hose from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher can cause unwanted water to drain into the dishwasher. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to prevent water mixing from the two devices.
Remember that your toilet is not intended to be used to dispose of trash. Do not flush sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues, diapers or other materials, as these items do not dissolve and could cause clogs. Try to minimize the amount of toilet tissue that gets flushed, too – but don’t neglect basic hygiene!
Lint Trap
Clean your dryer’s lint trap. This will help your dryer to work better and may also prevent fires. Regularly check your lint trap for rips or holes which could let lint escape into your pipes and cause clogging.
Stop cleaning a persistent clog with harsh drain cleaners. The chemicals that these cleaners are made up of are corrosive, and will damage the pipes in your house if you overuse them. Sometimes, finding a professional to fix a blocked drain is the best way to solve the problem.
Look for online reviews to check out and help choose potential plumbers. You can use customer feedback to prepare for the plumber that the insurance company has assigned you.
Investigate the history of a plumber before hiring them. Some plumbers may not be experienced or skilled enough to be able to handle some jobs, and can actually make the problem worse. Always check the reviews on plumbers, and ask those you trust if they have any recommendations.
Check your toilet for leaks. Drop a few food coloring drops inside your toilet tank to test for leaks. Watch your toilet bowl closely, and if you notice colored water in a manner of seconds, you definitely have a leak that will need to be fixed.
Infrequently used valves can stiffen with age and become inoperable. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and turn them every so often to keep them from sticking.
You should contact your local Consumer Affairs Department before you hire any plumber. These departments offer current information on licensing status and open complaints cases. If a contractor’s license has expired or isn’t in good standing, you don’t want to hire that contractor.
Always know in your mind exactly where the valve is that will cut the water off on your property. Look closely for the water meter and it should be nearby. Also, locate additional shut off valves for toilets, sinks, washers and any other device that runs off of your water supply. Make sure every family member knows how to find these valves, and turn them off.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!