Plumbing that is in good working order is a critical component of a clean, safe, and happy household. When something goes wrong, should you fix it yourself or call a plumber? The tips provided below will teach you some great ways in which you can easily handle issues with the plumbing in your home.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. Obviously, if it is below freezing outdoors, the pipes will be subjected to the same temperatures. It takes time for thawing to occur so you can have water again. However, they could burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
Every so often, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. 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. You can save a lot if you catch these issue sooner.
Use a drain strainer to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. Bathtub drains should be cleaned regularly as well.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. This is fixed by using water softener, which can be bought at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
Save Money
Make a schedule for plumbing work, so it occurs all at approximately the same time. You might be tempted to contact a plumber every time you face a small problem, but if you have problems repaired all at once, you will have time to save money for the fixes. It can also save money since most plumbers will charge you by the hour. Coming out just once will cut down on the time it takes, making your bill smaller.
Keep the drains in your bathtub working properly by pouring a cup’s worth of baking soda and than a cup’s worth of vinegar directly down your drain every month. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Wait for a little while, and then pour boiling water down the drain. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Overflow holes exist to act as a double check in case of an overfilling sink. That may seem unimportant – but it will become a problem if they are clogged. As you routinely look for things needing attention, check to be sure that the overflow holes are clear and unblocked.
If you operate the disposal on your sink, run plenty of cool water. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. Running hot water down the drain while you are using the garbage disposal can cause the drain to clog from any grease that is in there liquefying.
Do not attempt to remove grout from your plumbing. The grout can be broken up and sent further down. This works better with plastic than metal pipes. However, ultimately it usually requires a professional to rid you of this problem.
Letting your sink run is not really necessary when you put something down the in-sink disposal unit. A lot of people assume that running water while running the disposal will help the contents to flush through better, but really this is not helpful. Water can cause food to stick to the moving parts, and this could create damage.
There are two easy methods to removing a stubborn clean-out plug. The first method is by using a chisel and hammer to try to loosen the fitting. Your other option to try is to chisel through the out plug.
Always check your toilet and make certain it isn’t leaking. Put food coloring into your toilet water in the tank to test for leaks. Keep your eye on the toilet bowl; if you notice colored water, you can safely assume that you are dealing with a leak.
A sewage backup into the toilet is caused by problems often deep within the sewage line. 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.
Before you have a plumber come out to your house, research their history with your local government consumer affairs department or agency. They provide many useful services, such as the ability to file a service complaint review complaints, and confirm that they are licensed. Their license must be current and in good standing, otherwise you do not want them in your home.
Choose which drain cleaners you use with care. Some contain strong chemicals that will probably damage your pipes. Pick a brand that will be gentle on your pipes. Most are quite caustic, and some can be harmful if you have a septic system.
Washing Machine
You can use a plumber’s snake on your washing machine drain if it needs it, as well as on sink drains. Lint can transfer from a washing machine to the pipes and clog them.
Shut off the water immediately and then call a plumber when you find a leak inside your walls. This is a warning sign that you might have a serious issue with your home’s plumbing. If unchecked, these issues can lead to mold, mildew or flooding in your home.
As you can see, there are many tips and tricks that you can use to fix the plumbing in your home. If you use the tips you’ve read here, you’ll be able to solve any emergency and even install your own plumbing for new fixtures without the aid of a professional!