Handy DIY Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner

Sometimes, it will take a good amount of advice to arrive at the correct solution, and the tips in this article provide a solid resource to learn from.

Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime 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. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.

TIP! You can easily see if there are any serious damages caused by leaks by checking if the floor is soft around toilets. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or “softness” in the floor beneath you.

If your water pipe freezes, have the tap closest to it turned on so the water can exit while the pipe thaws. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which may prevent bigger damage for your home.

Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet. These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.

Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. Clean out the bathtup strainer every few days before it becomes clogged.

Use filters on all drains to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. The bathtub’s strainers need to cleaned out as needed.

Shower Heads

Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. This allows you to save up for necessary parts and equipment while saving money on hiring a professional. Because plumbers generally round up to the nearest hour, this also allows you to save money. The time only gets rounded up once, rather than multiple times.

TIP! You can keep your bathtub pipes clear by pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month. Use one cup of each.

Installing shower heads could save you a lot on your energy bill. Most of the hot water we use is in our showers. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can save hundreds each year on your bills.

If you notice water draining into your dishwasher, it’s probably due to the kitchen sink’s hose being improperly installed. The hose connecting the kitchen sink and the dishwasher needs to go upward before going back down so that there is no mixing between fixtures.

Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.

TIP! An enzyme based cleaner is an excellent way of unblocking clogged pipes. These cleaners use natural bacteria to turn the sludge into a liquid, and remove it from your pipes.

Be sure that the dryer’s lint trap of any debris. This will help your dryer operates efficiently and may also prevent fires. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, which can cause clogs and issues.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage and cost you to incur expensive plumbing repair bills.The first thing you should do is make sure that all of the outside pipes are well insulated. When it gets cooler, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. This can save you money on pipe repairs over time.

Cold weather can cause expensive plumbing repairs if your pipes freeze. This, however, is typically preventable. First, insulate your outside pipes well. Secondly, when the temperature begins to drop, you want to drain and disconnect the hoses, then make sure you turn the outside faucet off. This will help to save you money on plumbing bills.

TIP! Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. The chemicals found in drain cleaners are very corrosive, and can end up damaging your pipes if you use them too much.

Clean the aerator to fix low pressure problems in case you have sediment build up.Take the aerator off, pull it apart, and clean inside with a brush soaked in vinegar.

Do not expect to clean grout from your plumbing. You could try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up all the grout to send it down further. This works better with plastic plumbing as compared to metal pipes.

No matter what plumber you use, you should know a little about him before he comes to the door. Even if your insurance company assigns a plumber to you, you can get online and learn his name and the quality of his work. Your insurance provider may contract with a specific plumber; if you are knowledgeable about the company’s past jobs and client reviews, you will be more prepared.

TIP! Infrequently used valves can stiffen with age and become inoperable. You can prevent them from becoming fused by regularly maintaining them with a penetrating oil, and running water through them on a regular basis.

You should verify that they hold a valid licence and if any complaints have been filed against them. If their license is questionable or expired, you don’t want to hire that contractor.

You should always know where the main water shut off valve is located on your home. You can locate a water meter near it or on it. Fixtures, such as toilets and sinks, may also be equipped with individual cut-off valves.Make sure every member of the family knows where the values are located, and turn them off.

When looking to find a good plumbing contractor, don’t forget to check contractors against Department of Consumer Affairs records. This will allow you to be sure that they are properly licensed and that they have not received a ton of complaints from previous clients. A contractor’s license must be in good standing and current for you to even consider him.

TIP! It is important to locate the main water supply cut-off valve in your home. You should be able to find the water meter close by or directly on it.

Plumbing requires more skill then just routing water from point A to point B. One of the most common and important things that a plumber works on is fixing water lines.

Drain Cleaners

A lot of people are afraid that plumbing problems will destroy their home. This can be avoided if you are aware of one thing. Know where your main water valve is so you can quickly turn off your water supply and prevent water damage.

Choose which drain cleaners with care. Some drain cleaners have strong chemicals which could cause damage the pipes. Choose a drain cleaner that claims to be easy on pipes.

To make your water heater work better, you have to figure out what size tank is required by your household.

If you notice water dripping into the walls of your home, you should immediately turn off the water supply and contact a plumber. This could be a sign that there is something seriously wrong with your plumbing. This sort of problem could cause a flood, a mold problem or a mildew infestation.

TIP! You can avoid unnecessarily heating your water by buying a new, tankless water heater. These heaters only heat water when it is needed, so they do not store any water the way a regular heater does.

When you’re ready to take on plumbing issues, use the information in this article to help you along the way. You can either fix the problem on your own to save some dough, or use the above information to evaluate professional plumbers. Give these tips some consideration.