Although water is the main source of life, in plumbing it can be the most detrimental and frustrate every homeowner. Serious plumbing disasters can be extremely damaging to any home. Luckily, people who own homes can do many things to prevent major plumbing problems and to control the damage that does happen.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. Pipes that are contained within the floors, walls and ceilings may need to be attended by a professional plumber.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. However, they might burst, which will cause an enormous mess and repair bill.
Garbage Disposal
If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Garbage disposals can be very dangerous, so take caution when fixing it, even while it’s turned off. Locate your garbage disposal manual, or do an Internet search for troubleshooting advice and a diagram that illustrates your model.
Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. These materials may be liquid when you pour them in, but they will solidify and cause problems. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. You can prevent annoying odors and promote smooth operation by setting up a regular cleaning routine with lemon rinds, dish soap, and even cherry pits.
Installing shower heads that are more effective can save you a lot on your energy head. Most of your water bills comes from the water you use to shower. A single energy efficient shower head can save you $100 a year.
Do not flush unneeded things down your toilet if you want to lessen your chance of having issues. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials, because these things don’t dissolve and could clog up your toilet. In addition, you should only use the amount of toilet paper that is absolutely necessary when cleaning yourself.
If you wish to use a pipe cleaner to clear out your clogged pipes, look for one that is enzyme-based. These cleaners use natural bacteria to turn the sludge into a liquid, and remove it from your pipes. Cleaners containing enzymes are some of the best you can buy.
Lint Trap
Be sure to regularly clean out the lint trap that is in your dryer. This can prevent various problems, including a fire. Make sure that you inspect the lint trap for any holes or tears that might mean lint is going to your pipes, which might lead to clogs and other problems to deal with.
A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. This, however, is typically preventable. First, make sure that your outside pipe are insulated well. When the temperature dips, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. You can avoid future plumbing repairs by doing this, and therefore, saving you a lot of money.
Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners as often as you can. Drain cleaners contain very corrosive chemicals that can damage pipes if used too frequently. Call a professional if you notice your drain is still clogged up.
If there is sewage backing up in your toilet, it is probably due to blockage in a branch between the sewage and main lines. Get help from a professional. A plumber will run a snake in the line to clear it.
Know where the location of the main water-valve is on your property. The water meter should be located in its vicinity. Water fixtures typically have a cut-off valve of their own. 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.
Don’t just use any drain cleaner. A number of them have strong chemical ingredients that damage pipes. Choose a brand known for protecting pipes. Certain chemicals can kill bacteria that are important in your pipes, or even be poisonous.
If, when you’re installing your new water heater, you notice that a pipe is extending from your draining pipe, make sure it’s reconnected. This is probably what is called a recirculation pipe. This keeps the water in your home heated while reducing the amount of water wasted.
If your washing machine’s drain pipe backs up, the first step is to snake it with a regular pipe snake. Sometimes lint and small things from the machine will build up and make it back up.
Chemical Drain
Avoid the chemical drain cleaners if you need to unclog any drains. Even though these products may help to open up your drain, the chemicals in them can cause damage to your body, especially if they get on your skin. If you must use a chemical drain opener, wear a long sleeved shirt and rubber gloves.
The keys to avoiding plumbing problems is great preparation and education. When a homeowner knows a few things about plumbing, he is going to make smart decisions when dealing with plumbing problems. By the same token, the homeowner who researches and prepares for tackling a plumbing problem beforehand will be able to fix the problem quicker and easier.