Water is the source of life, though it can be the cause of frustration for anyone that is dealing with a plumbing issue.There are not many ways to destroy a house faster than to leave a major plumbing problem.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. It takes time for thawing to occur so you can have water again. The worst case scenario is a busted pipe and a costly repair.
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets that claim to be cleaners 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.
If you notice orange or pink stains in your bathroom fixtures, you probably have iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.
Chemical Reaction
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Plug the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, and then use boiling water to flush. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair to soap scum.
Check your floors for softness around toilets, so that you can ascertain if there is any floor damage. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. You could save money if you notice these problems early.
Run lots of cold water through your sink when you turn on the garbage disposal. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and encourage a smoother disposal.
Don’t flush items like paper towels, sanitary napkins, tissues, because these items don’t break down and may cause clogging issues.
You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. The ones in your bathtub should also be cleaned frequently, as needed.
The key towards maintaining low plumbing bills is prevention. Clogs present one of the main reasons for needing a plumber. Drains easily clogged by hair.It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair out of a screen than eliminating it off a pipe.
Do not attempt to remove grout out of a line by yourself. You can try to break it up the line. This works best if your pipes are plastic piping than metal.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You can use water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.
Don’t run the water when you use your garbage disposal. In some cases, it could cause garbage to stick to your disposal, which can create more damage.
Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners if you can. Drain cleaners are composed of extremely corrosive chemicals that can actually damage pipes to corrode if you overuse them. If you find that your drain is clogged, have a professional plumber examine the line.
Keep your garbage disposal clean and it will last longer. By utilizing a routine on a regular basis, using the combination of lemon rinds, cherry pits, and dish soap, you can maintain a disposal that runs great and smells like new.
There are two easy methods to removing a stubborn clean-out plugs. The first one is to use a hammer and chisel to see if you can get the fitting loose. The only other method is to take the chisel through it.
You may not have a choice when selecting a plumber for your residence, but you should still research different plumbers online. If your insurance company has just scheduled someone for you, doing a background check on him can put you on guard should he have a bad reputation.
You can pour baking soda down a drain followed by some vinegar if you want to keep drains clear. This should be done once a month, and a cup each of baking soda and vinegar should be used. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Pause a few minutes, and then follow the mixture with boiling water. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Check your toilet regularly for any leaks. An easy way to determine this is to drop some food coloring into the toilet tank. Watch the bowl part of your toilet, if you see some colored water, you definitely have a leak that will need to be fixed.
If you have a toilet that is backing up, this is due to a blockage in the branch line connecting the main line and sewage line. If you are unable to handle the issue on your own, you need to contact a professional to snake the line clear.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Overflow holes divert water when a sink starts to fill up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be a big problem if there is a clog. As you routinely look for things needing attention, check to be sure that the overflow holes are clear and unblocked.
Education and prevention are often the keys when it comes to avoiding plumbing-related problems. 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.