Water is the source of life, but it can also be a nemesis to the frustrated homeowner dealing with plumbing problems. There are not many ways to destroy a house faster than to leave a major plumbing problem unfixed.
Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.
Do not pay your plumber until the problem is fixed. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You want to make sure that the plumber did a good job before you pay in full.
If a plunger is ineffective, you may want to try pouring warm water into it from waist high. Do this every time the water level dips back down again.
Don’t be tempted to use commercial bleach tablets, blue toilet tablets or any other product that claims to prevent toilet odor. They can clean the bowl and remove odors, but they also damage the soft plastic and rubber parts in and around your toilet.
Garbage Disposal
Never put your bare hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even an un-powered garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous. You can search online to find the diagram for your garbage disposal.
Don’t put oil, grease or fat into your drain. When they cool, they will harden and create clogs in your drains. This is most true if you use a garbage disposal, as the fat causes the blades to function slower and they will become less efficient. Keep a container in your kitchen that is used specifically for discarded grease.
Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the toilet to determine floor damage. You can save money by noticing the problem early on.
Use a drain strainer to prevent small particles from getting through. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out on a regular basis.
Even if you only have one choice, research your plumber before he arrives. In some cases, your insurance company may select a plumber for you, but you can still research the company online.
Always have cold water running when your garbage disposal. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and encourage a smoother disposal.
Energy Bill
Check your toilet regularly for leaks. Try putting drops of food coloring into the tank. Look at the bowl carefully. If you notice colored water in several seconds, then you know your toilet is leaking badly, and you need to fix this as soon as possible.
Installing shower heads could save you a lot on your energy bill. Most of the hot water in our showers. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
Clean the aerator to if you are dealing with low water pressure issues which result from sediment build up. Take out the aerator, disassemble it, and brush it clean with a little vinegar.
It is important to know the location of the valve that cuts off water to your house. You’ll find a water meter right on it or near by. Toilets, sinks and other fixtures could have their own valves that cut off. Give all family members information about where these valves are located, and show them how to shut them off should an emergency occur.
Do not attempt to remove grout out of a line by yourself.You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up to have it fall further which will help the flow get better. This is more successful in plastic pipes as opposed to metal ones.
Don’t bother running water when the garbage disposal is used. The truth is that it might encourage food to adhere to the disposal itself, which might create a problem later.
Choose which drain cleaners you use with care. A number of them have strong chemical ingredients that damage pipes. Read the label, and choose one that says it is safe for your plumbing. Your pipes depend on certain bacteria. If you kill off the bacteria with chemicals, your system will not run properly.
While you may not always have your choice of plumbers, you can still look the person up online. If your insurer has just given you the name of a plumber, see if they have a website, so you are more comfortable and ready when they arrive.
If you need to hire a plumber, check out his or her credentials first. A plumber that is not be experienced enough to fix your problem.Check the reviews on any plumber you are considering, and ask your friends and family for recommendations.
A pipe snake might solve the problems of an overflowing washing machine. Sometimes lint can clog your drain stack, causing it to get backed up and overflow.
Preparation and plumbing education are what is needed to avoid plumbing mishaps. When a homeowner knows a few things about plumbing, he is going to make smart decisions when dealing with plumbing problems. Also, those who are educated on plumbing can fix issues easier.