Everyone has moments where they must question their plumbing system or the idea of rebuilding it. Some of us may need to know how to do general repair work, while others simply want to gain knowledge on doing general maintenance. This article will help you gain the knowledge you need to not only fix issues, but properly maintain your pipes as well.
Knowing what tools are what and the proper way to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. You need to conduct research before attempting a repair, because it could be expensive to correct an error.
Check the floor for soft areas around the toilet to determine floor damage. Sit in a reversed position, putting one foot on each side of the toilet and shift your weight from side to side to check if the floor feels slightly unstable. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Whenever large particles become trapped in the strainer, remove them. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.
Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. When they cool off, they become hard and will clog your pipes. This is especially the case if you possess a garbage disposal; fats and oils cause blades to run less efficiently and slow. Get rid of any fat or oils outside or in the garbage can.
If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, it’s because of the iron level in the water. To get rid of this problem, you can either use a commercial product to soften the water, or have a contractor come to your home and do the work for you.
To maintain your garbage disposal and avoid malfunction, you should regularly clean it. In order to keep it clean, you can use a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds which will keep the disposal running smooth and smelling fresh.
Overflow Holes
Ensure that your sink’s overflow holes are clear. 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. When you do periodic checks for any other problems or repairs that are needed, take the time to clear the holes that are there to protect you from overflow.
Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. This is not the case though. The cheaper models usually are low quality and will break easier than a high quality fixture.
To reduce your plumbing repair costs, use preventative maintenance measures. Clogs are one of the main reasons people have to call a plumber. Hair is one of the most common clog-producing materials. Stop hair from going down drains with a drain cover or screen designed for this purpose. Because the hair is at a place where you can remove it, it saves you from having to call a plumber out to your home.
A good tip to use when using your garbage disposal is to leave the water turned off. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a disposal can handle anything as long as they have water running when they turn it on. That is not true at all. The opposite is actually true. The running water can cause the disposal to clog, causing a plumbing problem.
The actual individual plumber coming out to your home might not be something you have a say in, but that does not mean you can’t look them up online. Even if your insurer determines your plumber, you should go to their website and read any available consumer reviews to reinforce your faith in their abilities.
If sewage backs up into a toilet in your home, there is likely a clog in the line that connects your sewer line to your main line. If you are unable to fix the blockage, you will need to hire a professional to run a snake in the line to clean it.
Consult your Department of Consumer Affair if you’re looking to hire a plumbing contractor. You will be able to check their license and know if people have complained about this specific contractor. They need a current license that is in good standing, and if not then you should look elsewhere.
Remember that there is a lot more to plumbing than simply knowing that water runs downhill. Fixing water lines is a common thing plumbers work on.
Since most people have little knowledge about all that plumbing entails, they are willing to pay whatever a plumber demands for repair work. If you own your own home, you should at least learn enough about plumbing to understand how plumbing problems should be handled by a professional. If you’re armed with knowledge, you’re much less likely to be ripped off.
You must know what to do in the face of an emergency before it ever happens. Additionally, performing a bit of routine maintenance easily keeps problems from cropping up when you least expect them. Heed our tips, and you’ll have what you need to solve your plumbing problems.