People may need water to live, but water can just seem like a hassle if it’s flooding your basement. There is not much else short of catastrophe that is going to cause as much damage to a home as plumbing issues. Luckily, there are many things people can do to stave off plumbing disasters and make sure the damage is minimal when unexpected events do happen.
You can easily fix noisy pipes. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Septic Tank
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. White it is somewhat expensive to pump the septic tank, it will be much more expensive should you need to clean backup, repair your septic tank or replace it altogether.
You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. When planning on repairs, plan on having a plan.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. 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. By noticing a problem early on, you can save yourself a bunch of money if you were to leave it alone.
Garbage Disposal
To keep your garbage disposal lasting for a long time, make sure you clean it on a daily basis. By incorporating a regular cleaning routine, your garbage disposal can stay running smoothly. One way to clean your disposal is to run dish detergent and lemon rinds through your garbage disposal. As an added benefit, this technique will also eliminate any scents from your disposal.
Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. Overflows holes can be used in the event the sink overfills, which is a big problem if they are clogged. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. The water will not drain into the dishwasher from the sink if it is configured in an uphill and downhill position.
To lessen the chances of toilet problems, do not use as a place to put trash. Do not flush things like paper towels, sanitary pads, tissues, diapers, cotton balls or anything else that might cause the toilet to get clogged. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
If you take care of your plumbing, you will have lower plumbing bills. One major repair is a drain clog. Clogs in drains can be caused by hair, among other things. Avoid this by using a drain cover or screen that keeps hair and other particles from clogging your pipes. You can easily clean out the drain covers on a regular basis; it’s harder to remove hair from drains once it’s fallen into them.
Frozen Pipes
One plumbing repair that costs a lot of money is frozen pipes. Fortunately, frozen pipes are easy to prevent. The first concern is making sure that all water lines that run outside of your house are fully and sufficiently insulated. Once the temperature starts to drop, disconnect your hoses after you have drained them out, and make sure the outside faucet is turned off. Taking proper precautions can save you lots of money on plumbing bills.
Clean the aerator to fix low water pressure issues that are caused by the buildup of sediment. Get rid of the aerator, remove it, and clean it with a brush dipped in some vinegar. Then simply rinse and reattach the aerator. If the problem was caused by a dirty aerator, cleaning it will increase the pressure.
You should be very careful when choosing drain cleaners. Some drain cleaners have strong chemicals that can damage the pipes. Be certain to choose a brand that claims to be gentle on pipes. Some chemicals will kill the bacteria your plumbing system needs to function properly and could even be harmful to humans.
Plumbing Problems
In order to stay away from plumbing problems, you should make sure you are knowledgeable about the basics and prepared for the worst. The homeowner who learns a little bit about plumbing is more likely to make wise decisions and avoid dangerous plumbing situations. Keep the above tips in mind to be better prepared to quickly fix any plumbing problems that do arise.