You notice a difference when you take the effort to educate yourself about plumbing. You can take pride in being able to tackle problems as they arise, and you can stop trouble with proper maintenance. This is not only an admirable quality, but also a great way to cut costs throughout the year. But like with any skill you learn, one can always improve and get better. The following hints and tips can help you get started.
Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. If pipes are located in the floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.
Septic Tank
Avoid septic tank problems by having your tank pumped out in five year intervals. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. White it is somewhat expensive to pump the septic tank, it will be much more expensive should you need to clean backup, repair your septic tank or replace it altogether.
Avoid bleach tablets, blue toilet deodorizers or the other odor removers inside your toilet. These products will reduce the smell, but they will also cause problems with the rubber gaskets. Over time, the damage will accumulate and could eventually stop the toilet from functioning at all.
Check your floors for softness around toilets, so that you can ascertain if there is any floor damage. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or “softness” in the floor beneath you. Discovering this issue sooner can mean big savings for your checking account, as compared to finding out about it later.
Baking Soda
Maintain smooth functioning of the drain in your bathtub by dropping baking soda and then vinegar down it on a monthly basis. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Doing this will clear your pipes of any soap scum or hair that has accumulated.
Save money by getting better shower heads. Energy efficient shower heads can save you money on your energy bill and water bill. Investing just a few bucks in these newer shower heads can yield triple digit annual savings.
If you are seeing water at the bottom of the dishwasher, most likely this is due to a faulty setup of the hose that leads from the kitchen sink. The hose connecting the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to go up and then down in order for the water of both locations to not mix.
Do not use a drain cleaner if you can help it. They have chemicals in them that are corrosive and can harm your pipes if they are poured down them frequently. If your drain frequently blocks, then call a professional to see what the real problem is, and get it solved once and for all.
If you are having trouble removing a clean-out plug, there are two ways to do it. First, you should try a hammer and chisel to loosen the clean out plug. The only other thing you can do is chisel through it.
If you need a good plumber, make sure you check out their reviews. Some plumbers just don’t know how to handle certain tasks which could make the problem worse. Ask around, and check online reviews. Your relatives and friends will likely know a plumber they will recommend.
Check your toilet for leaks. An easy way to determine this is to add a couple drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If colored water appears in your bowl soon after you put food coloring in the tank, your toilet is leaking. Fix leaks as soon as possible after you discover them.
You need to always be aware of the location of the primary water cut-off valve on your piece of property. You’ll find a water meter right on it or near by. Also, locate additional shut off valves for toilets, sinks, washers and any other device that runs off of your water supply. Make sure the entire family is familiar with these valves, and mark the shut-off position for ease of use.
You need to snake your washing machine drain stack if it overflows with a pipe snake. Lint, coins, paper and other small items can get expelled in the wash, leading to a drain clog.
If you notice water dripping into the walls of your home, you should immediately turn off the water supply and contact a plumber. This may be a sign of a serious problem with your plumbing. If unchecked, these issues can lead to mold, mildew or flooding in your home.
Now you have the necessary tools, the knowledge and skill set needed to apply to your own plumbing system. Great! You never need to stop learning, and the tips in this article were devised to help you with plumbing. You might have found a frequent type of plumbing job you do.