It can be hard to learn about plumbing, but there is a lot of information out there about it that makes researching and learning it much easier than you might think. This article offers some beginner-friendly advice for maintaining the plumbing in and around your own home.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which would reduce the damage done to your house.
Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. You may need to pay some money in the beginning, though you should not pay the full cost until you can be certain that the job was done correctly. It is a good thing to know the plumber did his job as he agreed to before he get’s all of his money.
Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Garbage disposals are dangerous, even when turned off. Hire a professional, or at least find your owner’s manual to look at a diagram of the disposal. Many owner’s manuals are available online, and may even contain interactive troubleshooters.
Use baking soda and one cup of vinegar per month to keep the bathtub drain clear and running well. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Wait for a bit, then flush with boiling water. Doing this will help rid your pipes of disgusting soap scum and blockages.
Overflow Holes
Be sure that the overflow holes are free of debris. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Clean overflow holes as part of your annual maintenance, and any other time you are handling general plumbing repairs.
Install water-saving shower heads to reduce your energy costs. Most of the hot water we use is in the shower. Invest in an energy-efficient shower head and you could save a hundred dollar every year on your water bill.
Kitchen Sink
An incorrectly installed hose from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher can cause unwanted water to drain into the dishwasher. The hose between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to have a peak in the middle so that the water can’t wash back in the wrong direction.
Always remember to keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. By keeping it clean, you can prevent fires and other problems. Regularly check your dryer’s lint trap to see if it has any tears or holes that could potentially damage your dryer, and clog up your plumbing.
One plumbing repair that costs a lot of money is frozen pipes. However, most of the time, you can prevent this from happening. The most important step is to keep any pipes close to the outside, well insulated. With the onset of colder weather, disconnect and drain any hoses and shut off outside faucets. This will keep you from paying too much to your plumber.
Garbage Disposal
You do not have to turn the water on when you are putting things in the garbage disposal. Most plumbers advise that you run water when using your garbage disposal, although many disagree. It could even cause food to stick to the blades of the disposal, creating damage.
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them. Sometimes, finding a professional to fix a blocked drain is the best way to solve the problem.
You might not be able to control which plumber you have to use, but you can find out all you can about them on the Internet. When your insurance company takes care of choosing a plumber for you, it is important to still look at their website, reviews and any customer comments they have. This will allow you to feel prepared when they come to your house.
You should be aware of the location of the main valve for water cut-off on your property. The water meter should be located in its vicinity. Look for additional cut-off valves for you indoor equipment, such as toilets, sinks or any other water source. To prepare for an emergency, make sure that everyone in your family is familiar with the location of the valves. It also helps to mark the valves with arrows indicating the direction in which they should be turned to shut them off or turn them on.
Many people fear plumbing since it may destroy their homes. Luckily, there is an easy solution to avoid a disaster. To prevent a small plumbing issue from turning into major water damage, you have to know the exact location of your water register.
Pick the drain cleaner you use carefully. Some of them contain strong chemical agents that will damage your pipes. Choose a brand known for protecting pipes. Not all chemical cleaners are good for your pipes–or for you. Some chemicals are toxic to humans. In addition, if a cleaner attacks bacteria indiscriminately, it may destroy helpful bacteria that keep the plumbing system running smoothly.
Now that you’ve read this article I hope that plumbing doesn’t seem as daunting to you! Just like other aspects of life, there is much to learn about plumbing. Sometimes you need just the right information to get started. You would have hopefully gotten that from these tips.