Everyone has moments where they must question their plumbing system or the idea of rebuilding it. We would like to know how to fix something ourselves if a problem comes up, and we would like to learn some general maintenance tips. This article will help you with both repairs and maintenance, so that you are prepared to deal with any plumbing situation you may face.
Plumbing that constantly squeaks, pounds, and emits other noises is irritating but, fortunately, the problem is often easily fixed. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. Call a plumber to help with pipes that require you to cut a hole in a wall, ceiling or floor.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. However, they could burst, which would cause a huge mess and an extremely big repair bill.
To deal with a frozen pipe, turn on the faucet closest to the pipe. This gives the water a place to exit as the pipe defrosts. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
To maintain a clean, well-functioning septic tank, it is recommended that you clean it out once every five years. This will prevent sediment from piling up in your tank, which could cause it to overflow into your home and yard, or even cause the entire septic system to fail. The cost to have your tank pumped might be a little steep, but it sure beats the alternative of dealing with sewage in your home or on your property.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even if the disposal is turned off, it can still be hazardous. Use the Internet to find a diagram of your device, or a troubleshooter.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. A garbage disposal can be dangerous, even when it is not on. Look for a diagram of the garbage disposal you have on the Internet.
Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. Another great way to check is to actually sit on the toilet and move in a rocking motion, going back and forth from right to left to see how much give you feel. 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.
Avoid placing fat, grease, and other oils into your drain. As they cool off, they can solidify and effectively create clogs and blockages in your drains. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. The best thing to do is to dispose of oil-based liquids away from your sinks.
Keep the drain in your bathtub working well by pouring one cup baking soda into the drain quickly followed by about a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with an old rag, because there will be a chemical reaction taking place inside the pipes. Flush it with boiling water after a few minutes. This should help clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned. Kitchen filters should be changed often, while bathtub filters can be changed as needed.
Overflow Holes
Check your fixtures to ensure the overflow holes are clear of debris and mineral build-up. These overflow holes are present in case of a clog or overfilling. It may seem unlikely as a problem now, but the necessity is there. As you routinely look for things needing attention, check to be sure that the overflow holes are clear and unblocked.
Install water-saving shower heads to reduce your energy costs. Most of the hot water we use is used while we are showering. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can save hundreds each year on your bills.
Schedule your plumbing jobs all together. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but saving your plumbing issues for one time can let you put that money back into repairs. This can save you money since plumbers generally charge hourly, as they can’t charge multiple hours per trip if it’s only one trip out.
Using your toilet as a garbage disposal is sure to cause problems! Never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. As well, keep your toilet paper usage to as little as possible.
Fix low water pressure by cleaning out the aerator to clean out sediment buildup. Remove the aerator, and then take it apart so it can be cleaned with a brush that has been dipped in vinegar. After rinsing the aerator, put it back together and reinstall it. This will improve the water pressure by clearing out blockages in the aerator.
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. Take advantage of customer feedback on your insurance carriers website. This will give you a greater level of comfort than going into it blind.
Remember that your toilet is not intended to be used to dispose of trash. Do not flush things like paper towels, sanitary pads, tissues, diapers, cotton balls or anything else that might cause the toilet to get clogged. Use the least amount of toilet paper you can when you use the toilet, too.
Take advantage of the information that you can obtain from the department or division of your state government that handles consumer affairs and protection when you are thinking of hiring a plumbing contractor. You can look at their track record, looking to see whether their license is valid and if they have any complaints lodged against them. You don’t want to hire anyone who is not in good standing and has an expired, or non-existent, license.
You have to always be aware of where the primary water shut off valve is in your home. The water meter for your property should be close to it. Toilets, sinks and some other fixtures can have cut off valves of their own. Make sure the entire family is familiar with these valves, and mark the shut-off position for ease of use.
It will be too late to do some research once you have a leak. Some routine maintenance can stop problems from starting, to begin with. Remember the tips in this article to be able to handle your plumbing at home.
The secret to low or even no repair bills from plumbing issues is prevention. Drain clogs can be expensive and are actually a major repair, one of the most common ones, too. Drains are frequently clogged by hair. A drain cover or screen can be used to stop hair from going down the drain and into the pipes. Getting the hair off the screen is much simpler than removing it from the pipe.