How much do you really know about your home’s plumbing? If so, wouldn’t it be nice to build upon your knowledge? Just what are your plumbing skills? If you are not sure, look at these tips.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Don’t let your house temperature drop to below freezing and make sure to insulate anything that is exposed to the outside elements to prevent frozen pipes. If the temperature surrounding the pipes is anywhere below freezing, this can cause the pipes to freeze. If you are lucky, you will only experience a minor inconvenience until the pipes thaw. But, they could also burst, causing a mess and a large repair bill.
If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. This will help relieve pressure in pipes to prevent them from bursting, which may prevent bigger damage for your home.
Septic System
Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.
Don’t pay a plumber midway through the job. A plumber might ask you for part of the money before starting the job but you should never pay more than half. You should know the plumber did his job before you pay him.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Sit in a reversed position, putting one foot on each side of the toilet and shift your weight from side to side to check if the floor feels slightly unstable. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
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. Clean your kitchen strainer often, particularly if you can see debris accumulating. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.
Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. It might be tempting to call up a plumber every time you have a small problem, but if you will save all the plumbing issues for one time, it can be helpful. It will allow you save the money for the repairs. Doing this can also save you money, since it’s common for plumbers to charge hourly rates. It’ll condense the total amount of time they need to spend to something you can more easily afford.
Make sure there is a strainer covering all drains in order to collect particles that would cause a clog if they went down the drain. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
However, if you mix a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda and send them down your tub’s drain each month, the flow will keep going smoothly. Cover it with a plug or rag, since a chemical reaction should happen in the pipes. After giving the mixture time to work, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Check the overflow holes for clogs. Overflow holes drain water if a sink begins to overfill, so they need to be clear at all times. Clean overflow holes as part of your annual maintenance, and any other time you are handling general plumbing repairs.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink needs to angle uphill before going back downhill to prevent water from both being mixed.
If you get grout stuck in the plumbing, it’s going to be very difficult to remove by yourself. You can try to break it up to send it on down the line. This is more successful in plastic plumbing as compared to metal pipes. However, usually you will need the services of a professional to get rid of this problem.
You might not be able to control which plumber you have to use, but you can find out all you can about them on the Internet. If your insurance provider has set up the appointment, check the company website to see customer reviews and feedback. This allows you to have some information before they arrive.
A sewage backup into the toilet is caused by problems often deep within the sewage line. When your personal efforts can’t deal with such a clog, your only option is to have the line snaked out by a professional plumber.
When changing your shower head, replace it with one of good quality. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head. The problem with this is that they are not very sturdy and can break much easier.
When winter is on the horizon, it is particularly important to check your outside water fixtures to ensure they aren’t leaking or dripping. You will have to fix this potential problem before freezing temperatures come. Regardless of whether you have steel, plastic or copper pipes, the water in them expands when it freezes and will make the pipes crack. Even a very small crack can cause significant water damage or even can flood your entire home.
How is your knowledge level with respect to plumbing now? Are you aware of the specific piping in your house? Did you develop the skills you need to fix your recurring issues? Are you now able to utilize things that can apply to your home system? Can you use the tools for fixing your plumbing system properly? The tips provided have given you an understanding of plumbing principles.