Do you feel that your home’s plumbing is in good condition? Are you ready to educate yourself and improve your abilities? If this is your goal, you are at the right place. This article contains tips that will advise you on how to improve your home plumbing system.
Septic System
Avoid septic tank problems by having your tank pumped out in five year intervals. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.
You can easily see if there are any serious damages caused by leaks by checking if the floor is soft around toilets. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. This will save you a lot of trouble and money if you find the issue before something horrible happens.
Position a strainer over all drains to collect any particles that would otherwise go down the drain and possibly cause a stoppage. Clean the kitchen sink strainer any time something collects in it. Keep the bathroom drains cleaned out too.
It is important to clean your garbage disposal often to keep it functioning for many years. You can prevent annoying odors and promote smooth operation by setting up a regular cleaning routine with lemon rinds, dish soap, and even cherry pits.
Overflow Holes
Check your fixtures to ensure the overflow holes are clear of debris and mineral build-up. Sinks use overflow holes if they start to overfill, and this isn’t usually a problem, but it can be. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
Use lots of cold water when you run your garbage disposal. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly. If you use hot water instead of cold, it will turn any fat into liquid and cause the fat to clog your pipes when it later cools and solidifies.
By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. Water-conserving shower heads are relatively affordable, but using them can save you a great deal of money within a single year.
If you have to replace any of your shower heads, make sure that the replacement is the best one you can afford. There are some who think that low price is all that matters when buying fixtures for the bathroom. The issue with that is they’re less tough and can break.
When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. Enzyme cleaners contain bacteria that digest through solid sludge, making it weak enough to be flushed out. The best options on the market now are enzyme cleaners.
Fix issues related to low water pressure that are a result of a buildup of sediment by cleansing the aerator. 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. After the aerator is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it under clear water, put it back together, and attach it to your faucet again. Doing so will assist in increasing water pressure since obstructions in the aerator are removed in this process.
There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. One way is to make the fitting looser with a hammer and chisel. The only other thing you can do is chisel through it.
Get more information about a plumber before hiring him or her. Some plumbers just don’t know how to handle certain tasks which could make the problem worse. Always look into a plumber’s reviews or talk to people you trust, such as family and friends.
Inspect your toilet regularly to ensure that it isn’t leaking. A good tip for this is to take food coloring and put a few drops in your toilet tank. Watch the bowl part of your toilet, and if you start to see colored water, you will know you have something that has to be taken care of.
If you choose to use drain cleaner, select it carefully. There are some drain cleaners on the market that may damage your pipes. You need to select a cleaner that has been advertised as being gentle on pipes. Some chemicals will kill the bacteria your plumbing system needs to function properly and could even be harmful to humans.
If you can see water dripping in or near your walls, shut off the water and call a professional right away. This usually indicates a serious plumbing problem. These problems could potentially cause flooding as well as mold and mildew, which may be harmful to your health.
Brass Fixtures
Think about going with brass fixtures when you want new fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen. For one, brass fixtures are far tougher and longer-lasting. The appearance of brass fixtures are more visually appealing than their similar counterparts. These fixtures are sold in most hardware and home improvement stores.
A lot of people try to be plumbers without formal training, so if your profession is in plumbing, consider hiring an apprentice. This is an easy way to have someone work a bit more affordably, and you may find it gratifying to pass on all the information you know to someone else.
After you have read this, you should feel better about trying to fix your own plumbing problems. Hopefully, this article had some ideas you can use. If they don’t, keep trying something until you are happy with your plumbing system.