Plumbing problems can cause quite an uproar for a homeowner that is not familiar with fixing these types of issues. Not only are professional plumbers costly, but they also may have you waiting for too long. Keep reading to discover ways to make plumbing repairs and fixes that much easier!
If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Septic System
A great tip to use to stop your septic tank from backing up is to make sure you have it pumped at least every five years. Doing so avoids sediment build up, so that you don’t have any kind of septic system backup. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.
Knowing your tools and how to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. Read manuals and do some research on the internet before starting a plumbing project. Plan properly prior to beginning any type of repair, because fixing a mistake can cost a lot of money.
If you discover a problem with the garbage disposal, don’t ever reach into it with your hands to attempt to fix it. Garbage disposals are dangerous, even when turned off. You can search online to get schematics or troubleshooting advice for your garbage disposal.
Put strainers in the bottoms of your drains to stop any clogging agents from escaping down the drain. Your kitchen sink strainer needs cleaning every time something big gets stuck in it. The bathtub strainer will prevent hair from clogging up your drain.
Garbage Disposal
To maintain your garbage disposal and avoid malfunction, you should regularly clean it. Create a routine that uses both normal soaps and natural materials like cherry pits of lemon rinds. With this, you’ll be able to keep your garbage disposal running and smelling like new.
You can keep your bathtub pipes clear by pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month. Use one cup of each. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage and cost you money. Fortunately, you can generally prevent your pipes from freezing. The most important step is to keep any pipes close to the outside, well 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. Making sure that all of this is done will have you a lot of money in plumbing bills.
Fix issues related to low water pressure that are a result of a buildup of sediment by cleansing the aerator. The aerator should be removed and taken apart. Then, clean with a tiny brush swabbed in vinegar. Then simply rinse and reattach the aerator. If the problem was caused by a dirty aerator, cleaning it will increase the pressure.
When using the garbage disposal, do not even bother running the water. It is popular belief that running water will help the garbage disposal work, but this is mistaken. In contrast, it could actually cause garbage or waste to stick to the insides of the disposal and do more damage than good.
Drain Cleaners
Avoid using drain cleaners as much as possible. The chemicals found in drain cleaners are very corrosive, and can end up damaging your pipes if you use them too much. Rather than using drain cleaners, hire a plumber to fix your blockage problems.
If you are trying to get a clean-out plug removed, but not getting very far, there are a couple of things you can do. First, the clean-out fitting can be loosened with a hammer and chisel. Unfortunately, if you still cannot remove the plug, the only viable option left on the table is to bust right through the plug completely with the hammer and chisel.
If your toilet has sewage back-up, then there is a block somewhere along the branch line that connects the sewage and main lines. If you cannot take care of this blockage, a professional will have to come out and run a snake through the line in order to clear it.
Many individuals have no idea what is involved in plumbing, so they willingly spend large amounts of money to have a plumber make repairs. If you own a home, you should be educated in what the professional is doing. This is wise to keep you from being overcharged, or having unnecessary repairs done.
Water heaters often have a pipe that reaches from the drain pipe and this must be reconnected during installation of a new unit. It is most likely a recirculation pipe, which really goes a long way to help your water stay heated without wasting as much water in the process.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!