Water is the source of life, but it can be the bane of the frustrated homeowner who has to deal with plumbing problems. There aren’t many things more devastating to a home’s structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.
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. Make sure you plan before you try any kind of repair, as it can be costly to fix a mistake.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Pipes will begin to freeze if the surrounding temperatures are below the freezing mark. It may take time to thaw out so that you can have running water. However, your pipes can explode, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
Septic Tank
It is important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. The blades on the unit will remain sharper and disposal will proceed with few glitches. Hot water liquifies grease and causes it to buildup in the drain, causing clogs in the pipes.
Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it working well. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.
Do not pay your plumber until the job. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done. You want to make sure that the plumber completed everything that they said they would before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.
Keeping up with maintenance is the number one way to keep plumbers from having to come fix issues. Drain clogging is a very common plumbing problem. Clogs in drains are often caused by buildups of hair. Putting a strainer on your drain can solve this problem. It’s more convenient to remove hair before it has a chance to get down the drain and into the pipes.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, this could be due to high iron content in your water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.
By having a regular cleaning routine, which includes a combination of lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and smelling as fresh as the day it was installed.
Do not expect to clean grout out of a line by yourself. You might be able to break it up a little bit and then get it a little further down the line. This is much easier if your pipes are plastic, rather than metal. However, this problem usually requires the help of a plumber.
Single Visit
Schedule all your issues in one single visit. You might be tempted to call the plumber every time you need something fixed, but if you wait and hire the plumber for a single visit, you will have time to save money for the fixes. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one visit to your home.
A common problem with toilets is that sewage will on will back up and flow into the toilet. This happens because of a blockage within the branch lines that connect the main line to the sewage line. If you are not able to remove the blockage, you need to contact a professional to snake the line clear.
Use lots of cold water when using your garbage disposal.Cold water keeps blades sharp and makes the disposal run more smoothly.
If you see unwanted water that keeps draining into your dishwasher, it is probably because the hose attached to the sink is not installed correctly. The hose from your sink and the dishwasher needs to go up and then down in order for the water of both locations to not mix.
Many people will let plumbers shake them down for high fees, because they have no idea about plumbing themselves. If you own a home, you need to at least be able to understand what a plumber is doing when he makes repairs. This will ensure that you are not ripped off.
Do not expect to clean grout from your plumbing.You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up to have it fall further which will help the line. This works much better if your home has pipes you have are plastic instead of plastic.
Drain Cleaners
If you are starting to install a water heater and see a pipe going out from the drainage area, be sure to reconnect that pipe. It’s probably a pipe for recirculation, and that does a tremendous job of keeping your water hot without wasting water along the way.
Don’t use drain cleaners too much. Drain cleaners contain very corrosive chemicals that can damage to your pipes if used too frequently. If you do have a clogged drain, have a professional plumber examine the line.
There are two easy methods to removing a clean out fitting out. The first approach to use is taking a hammer and chisel to loosen the fitting. The only other option is to chisel through the plug.
The plumbing industry contains many rookie workers, so it might be wise to take on an apprentice if you consider yourself a professional. This is a great way to have some cheap labor, and to pass on your knowledge to someone younger.
Check to see if you have toilet for any leaks.Try putting drops of food coloring in the tank. Watch your toilet bowl closely, if you see some colored water, you will see that you are dealing with a issue that should be dealt with.
As it is with anything, good preparation and education are keys to avoiding problems, and this holds true with plumbing as well. When a homeowner knows a few things about plumbing, he is going to make smart decisions when dealing with plumbing problems. If a problem does arise, research and preparation ahead of time will make the problem easier to fix.
If you see puddling water near the water heater, you have to turn water off with the shut off valve as soon as possible. The reason that shutting the water off now is so important is that a smaller leak could easily turn into a larger one, and thus it becomes much harder to deal with.