Any homeowner who does not happen to be a professional plumber, will eventually be dealt a headache or two by some plumbing problem in their house. Not only are professional plumbers costly, but they also may have you waiting for too long. Keep reading to discover ways to make plumbing repairs and fixes that much easier!
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. Pipes have the potential to freeze if the surrounding temperatures are below the freezing mark. If pipes do freeze, the best possible scenario would include taking time for the pipes to thaw and any frozen water to drain. But, more importantly, the pipes can burst, which will cause a huge mess and big repair bill.
If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. This helps to relieve the pressure in the pipe and may prevent bursting, which can prevent further damage to your home.
Your plumbing experience can go a lot smoother when you know your tools, as well as how to handle them properly. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Before undertaking repairs on your own, you should have a plan; otherwise, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Use baking soda and one cup of vinegar per month to keep the bathtub drain clear and running well. This will cause the vigorous bubbling you may remember from the “volcano” in a grade school science project, so be sure to close the drain with a stopper. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. Doing this periodically should keep your pipes free of hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Look at the overflow holes to ensure they aren’t clogged up. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Make cleaning debris from the overflow holes part of your regular routine of maintaining your plumbing and checking it for problems and required repairs.
Installing more efficient shower heads can save you tons of money on your energy bill. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. Invest in an energy-efficient shower head and you could save a hundred dollar every year on your water bill.
When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. There are some who think that low price is all that matters when buying fixtures for the bathroom. Like many cheap products, however, cheap shower heads are often not durable.
Enzyme Based
When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. Enzyme based pipe cleaners utilize natural bacteria to attack the clog and dissolve it so it can be washed away. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
Frozen pipes can lead to a large plumbing bill. However, most of the time, you can prevent this from happening. The first thing you should do is ensure your outside pipes are thoroughly wrapped or insulated. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. You can avoid future plumbing repairs by doing this, and therefore, saving you a lot of money.
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. They have chemicals in them that are corrosive and can harm your pipes if they are poured down them frequently. 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.
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!