Plumbing that is in good working order is a critical component of a clean, safe, and happy household. No matter how prepared you are, plumbing problems can crop up, and calling in a professional can be costly. Read on to learn some amazingly useful tips to help you keep your home plumbing in great shape all by yourself!
Septic Tank
It is a advisable to have a septic tank pumped every five years to keep it in peak condition. This prevents sediment from building up in the tank and causing a backup into your home or causing the failure of the septic system itself. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Stand over the toilet, then rock it back and forth to see if any weakening in the floor has occurred. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
You should make sure not to put oils down the drain, such as grease and fat. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. This can make your garbage disposal run slower. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
If your home has a well for water and there are pink or orange stains in the sinks and tubs, this could be due to high iron content in your water. A water softener is the easiest way to solve hard water problems relating to rust, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
Overflow Holes
Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. When you do periodic checks for any other problems or repairs that are needed, take the time to clear the holes that are there to protect you from overflow.
Run cold water in your sink when you turn on the garbage disposal. 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.
Do not flush unneeded things down your toilet if you want to lessen your chance of having issues. Don’t flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, such as diapers, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls. Use the least amount of toilet paper you can when you use the toilet, too.
Enzyme based pipe cleaners work really well at unclogging your pipes. Enzyme-based cleaners actually digest part of the sludge, liquefying it, and cleaning your drain naturally. The enzyme cleaners are the best on the market.
If grout is stuck in your plumbing, getting rid of it is likely not going to be a do it yourself project. You can break the grout up and make it go further down the line. Having plastic pipes rather metal pipes will work a lot better. However, ultimately it usually requires a professional to rid you of this problem.
Drain Cleaners
Steer clear of drain cleaners whenever possible. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
If you need a good plumber, make sure you check out their reviews. Some of the plumbers out there can not do every job, and they may end up causing you more problems than you started with. Check reviews, and ask your friends and family for recommendations.
Prepare for the cold winter months by checking that your outdoor faucets are not dripping or leaking. If there are problems, you must make the needed fixes prior to the arrival of freezing temperatures. Pipes that are made of copper, steel, or plastic are vulnerable to cracking when water freezes and increases the pressure. The tiniest cracks might create water damage or cause water to flood into your house.
The valves will fuse together if they are not used. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and rotate them every so often so they don’t stick.
It is important to know where your cut-off valve is for the water on your property. You should see a water meter located on it or close by. Some plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, may have individual shut-off valves. Show every family member where the valves are, and add markings showing how to turn them off in case of emergency.
As most people don’t have a clue about plumbing, they will tend to pay whatever the plumber charges, no matter how large. If you own your own home, you owe it to yoruself and your wallet to learn enough about plumbing basics to at least understand what a plumber is doing and why. If you know what you’re paying for, you’ll be less likely to get ripped off.
As made obvious here, there is quite a few things that can be done to fix up your home plumbing. Apply what you have learned here, and build on that knowledge. You will find new confidence in being able to fix plumbing problems without having the expense of a professional plumber.