Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t all that difficult to handle a few plumbing tasks around the home. If you take the time to research the problem ahead of time, though, you will have an easier time fixing it. The following tips will get you started and help you complete that project that has been bugging you, in no time.
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, even if there is a serious problem with it. Even when the garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous. Troubleshooting techniques and schematics of your garbage disposal are available on the Internet.
Inspect around the toilets for softness in the floors to see if any damage has occurred. Another great way to check is to actually sit on the toilet and move in a rocking motion, going back and forth from right to left to see how much give you feel. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Look at the overflow holes to ensure they aren’t clogged up. Overflow holes catch the excess water from an overflowing sink. They may not sound like a matter of great importance until you actually need them. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
If water that is not supposed to be there is in the dishwasher, the likely culprit is a kitchen sink hose not properly attached. The hose between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to have a peak in the middle so that the water can’t wash back in the wrong direction.
Get a good quality replacement shower head. Some people think they can get away with the cheapest version at the store. These types of fixtures are prone to breakage and are much less sturdy.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Look over the lint trap to make sure there aren’t any rips or holes. This can cause problems like clogs.
Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes can lead to a large plumbing bill. Fortunately, frozen pipes are easy to prevent. Start by insulating the outside pipes fully. Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. Enacting these procedures can aid in preventing expenses for repairing your plumbing.
If your home has low water pressure, you can often fix the problem by cleaning out the aerators on your fixtures. Disassemble the fixture to remove the aerator, and then scrub it with vinegar and a small brush. Thoroughly rinse off the aerator, put it back together and place it back on the faucet. This should raise the water pressure nicely because anything that was inside of the aerator will be removed.
Though you may have no option as to which plumber comes, you can research them at any rate. Check out your plumber’s website and read all of the reviews that are available.
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.
When it gets cold out, ensure that your faucets outside aren’t dripping or leaking. If they are, you will need to make the necessary repairs before the freezing temperatures arrive. It does not matter if the pipes are made out of steel, copper or plastic, any water pressure from frozen water will cause them to crack. Cracked pipes can lead to extensive water damage to your home, resulting in very costly repairs.
Remember that there is a lot more to plumbing than simply knowing that water runs downhill. One of the more common repairs that a plumber will make is the repair of water lines.
Plumbing problems can be a nightmare because of the destruction that plumbing leaks can cause. This is easily avoided if you only know one thing. The key to saving your home from water damage is to know exactly where the water register is, and how to turn it off quickly.
When doing the install on a water heater, keep an eye out for unconnected pipes. A commonly missed pipe is the one that leads out from the area for drainage. This pipe is probably for recirculation of the water and it works to keep energy usage to a minimum by making water heating more efficient.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.