Everyone has a question about plumbing, every once in a while. People want to know a thing or two about general maintenance, and they want to be able to fix some things themselves. Take a few minutes to read this article and find out how you can face plumbing emergencies.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. If ambient temperature surrounding pipes goes below freezing, pipes can freeze as well. The best case scenario is that you can heat the pipes and the water will start flowing again. However, they could burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.
Garbage Disposal
Ensure that if something goes wrong in your garbage disposal that you resist any and all urges you have that might make you want to put your hands inside to fix a problem. Even if it is are switched off, a garbage disposal can be very dangerous. Use the web to locate a diagram or users manual for your device.
Check to make sure that overflow holes are not clogged up. 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. As you routinely look for things needing attention, check to be sure that the overflow holes are clear and unblocked.
Run cold water in your sink when you turn on the garbage disposal. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. If you use hot water, any grease that is in the disposal will turn to liquid, and sit inside of the drain, which can clog your pipes.
Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems. Nothing should be flushed down the toilet except human waste and toilet tissue. Flushing sanitary napkins, diapers, disposable napkins, and other materials is a sure recipe for a clogged drain and a backed-up toilet. You will also want to use the least amount of toilet paper as required.
If your home has low water pressure, you can often fix the problem by cleaning out the aerators on your fixtures. First, you need to remove the aerator, and then take it apart and clean it using a small brush that has been dipped in vinegar. After the aerator is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it under clear water, put it back together, and attach it to your faucet again. This will improve the water pressure by clearing out blockages in the aerator.
Drain Cleaners
Don’t rely on drain cleaners too much. Drain cleaners contain very corrosive chemicals that can damage pipes if used too frequently. If you believe your drain is seriously clogged, have a professional plumber examine the line.
If you need a plumber, be certain to do some research first. Some plumbers aren’t experienced or skilled enough to do certain jobs, which makes the problem worse. Check reviews, and ask your friends and family for recommendations.
If you have a toilet that is backing up, this can be from a blockage. If you have tried and cannot remove the blockage, you will need a plumber to come to your home and run the plumbing snake down into the toilet to clear the blockage.
As the winter months encroach on your home, check your outdoor faucets for dripping and 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. The smallest crack will allow enough water through to cause costly flooding and damage.
Know where the location of the main water-valve is on your property. There will be a water meter there or nearby. Also, locate additional shut off valves for toilets, sinks, washers and any other device that runs off of your water supply. You will want to make your family aware of the location of each valve, and add markings that give directions on how to shut each one off whenever an emergency arises.
Because people are often ignorant of what plumbing involves, they’re happy to pay whatever price a plumber asks of them. If you own your home, it is very important to have at least some knowledge about plumbing so you can understand what the plumber is doing. This is wise to keep you from being overcharged, or having unnecessary repairs done.
To improve the efficiency of your water heater, you need to determine what size hot water tank your household needs. If you are aware of how many people and appliances will be using hot water, you can determine the appropriate capacity.
When installing or replacing a water heater, pay attention to the drainage pipe. The pipe extruding from the draining pipe needs to be reconnected to the water heater. This is probably a recirculation pipe. It does a lot to keep your water hot while minimizing inefficient wasting of water.
Tankless water heaters can be a great alternative if you want to save money and resources. These heaters only heat water when it is needed, so they do not store any water the way a regular heater does. This can save both money and energy, since you aren’t heating water that isn’t needed at the present time.
Don’t wait until the problem is here to educate yourself. Keeping on top of maintenance is likely to stop problems before they even start. Use the tips included in the preceding piece, and you will be prepared to tackle any plumbing issues that may develop.