If you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to plumbing, you might find the whole situation a big headache. Professional plumbers can have a wait time, and are very expensive for something that could usually be solved without too much trouble. Read the following article to learn how simple it can be to fix plumbing issues.
Water hammer problems, pipe noise due to water hitting the back of the pipe, can be easily repaired. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. You may need the assistance of a professional in the case that the pipes are contained within a floor or ceiling.
If your pipes are so noisy that they sound like squeaking or hammering, you can easily solve this problem. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. If the temperature surrounding these pipes is below the freezing point, your pipes could freeze. It can take a while for the pipes to thaw, which means you will not be able to run water for quite some time. However, frozen pipes often burst, causing damage to your home and a hefty repair bill.
Septic Tank
Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it in proper working condition. Having your septic pumped will keep sediments from settling to the bottom of the septic tank and causing the tank to malfunction or backup. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Every so often, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. You can check for softness or weakness in the floor by placing one foot on each side of the toilet and rocking back and forth. It’s important to catch and address floor damage problems as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.
Knowing what tools are what and the proper way to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Read each and every manual, and utilize the information that can be found in libraries and the Internet about do-it-yourself projects. Prior to attempting any repairs, be certain to plan ahead in order to avoid expensive errors.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. 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 can save a lot if you catch these issue sooner.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. When they cool, they’ll harden and clog your drain. Your garbage disposal is particularly vulnerable to this issue, as the fat solids will slow the motion of the blades. This results in the disposal operating less efficiently. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the trash.
Using your toilet as a garbage disposal is sure to cause problems! Do not flush sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues, diapers or other materials, as these items do not dissolve and could cause clogs. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.
Water that leaves behind pink or orange tinged stains has an excessive amount of iron. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
Schedule one plumber to take care of all your issues in one single visit. By doing so, you can save up enough money to pay for the repairs. You will also save because plumbers usually charge hourly rates, so hours they can charge you are reduced if there is only one trip made.
Use baking soda and one cup of vinegar per month to keep the bathtub drain clear and running well. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
If you have grout deposits inside your pipes, it is almost impossible for an inexperienced homeowner to fix. With a little effort, you can get some of the grout broken down and on its way down the line. This works better with plastic than metal pipes. On the other hand, this situation usually ends in a call to a professional plumber.
Overflow Holes
Check to make sure that overflow holes are not clogged up. Overflow holes catch the excess water from an overflowing sink. They may not sound like a matter of great importance until you actually need them. When you’re periodically checking your sink for possible problems, take the time to clean out the overflow holes.
By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. 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.
It is always a good idea to do your research before hiring a plumber to come and do work in your home. Some plumbers are not experienced enough or skilled enough to handle some jobs, and they can worsen your problem. Ask around, and check online reviews. Your relatives and friends will likely know a plumber they will recommend.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. Some people think that one shower head is like any other, so decide on price alone. Usually these break easily.
One costly plumbing repair is frozen pipes. Thankfully, you can prevent your pipes from freezing. The first concern is making sure that all water lines that run outside of your house are fully and sufficiently insulated. With the onset of colder weather, disconnect and drain any hoses and shut off outside faucets. Making sure that all of this is done will have you a lot of money in plumbing bills.
As the cold winter weather approaches, make sure that your outside faucets are not leaking or dripping. If leaks are detected, it is important to repair them before the temperature drops below freezing. Whether your pipes are made of plastic, copper or steel, the water pressure caused by freezing water will make them crack. The tiniest cracks might create water damage or cause water to flood into your house.
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!