TIP! Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home.

It is common for plumbing problems to start right after you buy your home. The majority of the time this happens in the kitchen or bathroom. Every homeowner will have to deal with a plumbing problem of some kind. Using the following tips will help you with plumbing issues.

TIP! Never pay for a plumbing job completely until they have finished the job. There might be a down payment required, but you do not give him the total cost before he is finished.

Don’t let your house temperature drop to below freezing and make sure to insulate anything that is exposed to the outside elements to prevent frozen pipes. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. Even in the best case scenario, it will take hours for thawing to happen before you have running water again. But, they could also burst, causing a mess and a large repair bill.

TIP! If your garbage disposal is giving you problems, never stick your hand in it to fix it yourself. Garbage disposals can be very dangerous, so take caution when fixing it, even while it’s turned off.

Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. This stop sedimentary particles from accumulating in the tank, and in the worst cases, flooding your home or making the entire system to fail. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!

TIP! Frequently inspect the floors around toilets for softness; this can tell you whether or not the floors are damaged. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you.

Don’t give a plumber the total bill payment upfront; pay them only when they have finished the job. You might have to put money down initially before the plumber begins the job. However, do not pay everything up front; instead, only pay once the job is successfully completed. You want to know the plumber has fulfilled all his requirements as promised in the agreement before he gets paid.

TIP! Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they’re not clogged. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked.

You need to avoid using any kind of tablet or odor remover in your toilet if at all possible. These products will reduce the smell, but they will also cause problems with the rubber gaskets. Over time, the damage will accumulate and could eventually stop the toilet from functioning at all.

TIP! To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. Cold water will allow for the food particles to be properly disposed of while keeping the blades sharp.

If you have a clogged toilet and a plunger is not helping to clear the blockage, if the water level is low, pouring a bucking of boiling water from a height into the toilet bowl could resolve the problem. This procedure can be repeated if the water level again returns to a level that is too low.

TIP! Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems.

Never use your bare hands to try fixing your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. Try to find a diagram, or troubleshooting guide for your particular disposal on the Internet.

Garbage Disposal

TIP! Be sure to check your dryer and clear your lint trap of any debris. By keeping it clean, you can prevent fires and other problems.

To make sure your garbage disposal last a long time, clean it regularly. If your garbage disposal begins to emit a bad smell, run some dish detergent and citrus rinds through the cycle to make it smell fresher.

TIP! There are two ways to remove clean out plugs. The first method is by using a chisel and hammer to try to loosen the fitting.

Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly. Hot water will liquefy grease and build up inside the drain, eventually causing clogs.

TIP! If valves are seldom used they may become fused. You can prevent them from becoming fused by regularly maintaining them with a penetrating oil, and running water through them on a regular basis.

If you have unwanted water that drains in your dishwasher, it’s probably due to the kitchen sink’s hose being improperly installed. This hose must lead uphill and downhill to prevent mixing water between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher.

TIP! Check with the Department of Consumer Affairs when shopping for a good plumbing contractor. You can check for valid licenses and negative reviews.

Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. A lot of commonly-flushed items such as tissues, cotton balls and swabs, paper towels, diapers, and sanitary napkins can clog up a toilet by failing to dissolve properly. As well, keep your toilet paper usage to as little as possible.

Lint Trap

TIP! To improve the efficiency of your water heater, you need to determine what size hot water tank your household needs. The size of your hot water tank depends on how often your family uses hot water.

Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety. Inspect your lint trap every so often for tears or holes that could cause lint to go into your pipes, this could cause clogs or other problems you will have to deal with.

TIP! 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. This is probably the re-circulation pipe.

Clean the aerator to fix low water pressure issues that are caused by the buildup of sediment. Remove the aerator, and then take it apart so it can be cleaned with a brush that has been dipped in vinegar. Thoroughly rinse off the aerator, put it back together and place it back on the faucet. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.

TIP! When trying to unclog drains, never use any chemical drain openers. The chemicals can be damaging to your skin, but will open your drain.

If you are trying to get a clean-out plug removed, but not getting very far, there are a couple of things you can do. You can loosen the fitting with a hammer and a chisel. You can also chisel into the plug.

Rarely used valves can fuse together. Keep them lubricated using penetrating oil. Be sure to turn them periodically to avoid sticking.

TIP! Take a look at your tiles for evidence of damage from a water leak. Tiles that are loose could indicate that your have a water leak; press in the immediate surrounding areas to feel for softness.

Before hiring a plumber, check their credentials against the local licensing agency or municipal authority. They will tell you if their licenses are all up to date or if they have received any negative feedback. They need to have a valid license, or they should not do any work in homes.

TIP! If you notice water pooling around the water heater, shut off your water valves right away. Neglecting to turn off the valve can turn a small leak into a bigger leak, and it will be harder to turn off.

Know where the location of the main water-valve is on your property. It is likely very close to your water meter. Toilets, sinks and some other fixtures can have cut off valves of their own. Make sure every family member knows how to find these valves, and turn them off.

TIP! Educate everyone in your household on how to turn off the main water supply, as well as the individual water supplies in bathrooms and other areas of your home. Every person should know how to turn off the water to the house to prevent flooding.

Being prepared for plumbing problems is essential. You should educate yourself with repair advice so that you’re able to handle simple plumbing issues. If you wind up with a future plumbing problem, the advice you have learned from this article will get you through it.

Garbage Disposal

Lint Trap

Related Posts