When it’s time to fix your plumbing, you may not know which tools, equipment, regulations or instructions you may need to get started. These tips can help you accomplish the unthinkable and establish control over your plumbing once again!
If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. You should read the manual with any new tool you purchase. If you don’t have the manual, look online or at your local library for more information. You should do the same amount of research on the steps required for your project. Be sure to have a plan ahead of time before trying any type of repair, it could very expensive to fix the mistake.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are actually a lot easier to fix than you would imagine.You must anchor any exposed pipe.
To prevent pipes from freezing, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Pipes have the potential to freeze as soon as they reach freezing mark. It takes time for thawing to occur so that you can have running water. The worst case would be that they burst, which would result in significant repair costs and a mess to clean up.
Cleaning your in-sink garbage disposal can extend its lifetime significantly. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.
If you have a frozen pipe, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This will help relieve pressure in pipes to prevent them from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.
Septic Tank
To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Do not flush sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues, diapers or other materials, as these items do not dissolve and could cause clogs. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
Pump out your septic tank every five years to keep it in proper working condition. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.
Knowing what tools and how to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. Before attempting any repairs, plan ahead, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Clean the buildup of sediment from your aerator to increase your water pressure if it’s low. A small brush (an old toothbrush is ideal) dipped in vinegar will do a great job on the aerator after it’s been removed and disassembled. Then simply rinse and reattach the aerator. Remove the sediment from the aerator to increase water pressure.
Check the floor for soft areas around the floors. You can save money simply by noticing and treating this problem as early on.
Avoid dumping oil, fat, and other oils into your drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposal; the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make sure you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
Avoid using drain cleaners as much as possible. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. Especially in cases where you have a drain that clogs repeatedly, getting a professional plumber in to examine the situation may be your best option.
Schedule all your plumbing work simultaneously. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but having multiple repairs done at once allows you to save up for the cost. Most plumbers have an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.
Don’t flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, sanitary napkins, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls.
Before it gets cold, you want to make certain your outside faucets aren’t dripping or leaking. If you find a problem, you need to move quickly to repair it, lest the faucet crack. Whatever material your pipes are built from, very cold water pressure can make pipes crack. Even the tiniest of cracks can release enough water to cause water damage or flooding to your home.
Enzyme Based
Use enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. These cleaners use natural bacteria, and then remove it from the pipes. Enzyme based cleaners are not corrosive so they won’t erode your first choice.
Education is essential when dealing with plumbing issues, because knowing nothing about the topic will cause people to spend big bucks on a plumber. If you’re a homeowner, it’s important you know enough to understand what a plumber is doing in your house. This will go a long way towards ensuring that the plumber does not take advantage of you by overcharging.
Clean your dryer’s lint filter. This will help your dryer operates efficiently and prevents fires. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, which can cause clogs and issues.
Do not attempt to remove grout out of a line by yourself. You could try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up the grout to send it down further. This works best if your pipes you have are plastic rather than metal.
Read the labels and choose a chemical drain cleaner with care. There are some drain cleaners on the market that may damage your pipes. Make sure you select a brand that is advertised as gentle on the pipes. Certain chemicals can kill bacteria that are important in your pipes, or even be poisonous.
As you’ve seen, plumbing is not that complicated. There are just many basic things to cover. You can handle any plumbing job armed with the right research, the will to work and common sense.