Finding issues with the plumbing after purchasing a new home is not an uncommon experience. Plumbing issues can occur in any room in the house, but usually happen in the kitchen or bathroom. At some time, everyone who owns a home will have some type of problem with the plumbing. Here are some ways to help when that happens.
If you have a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
It is important that you do not pay a plumber in full, until all of the work is complete and satisfactory. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. This ensures that the plumber will not abandon the job midway, and will also care about the quality of their work more.
Your plumbing experience can go a lot smoother when you know your tools, as well as how to handle them properly. Read all the user manuals, and make use of the library and internet to learn all about projects you can do by yourself. Think ahead and learn everything you can before tackling a plumbing repair project. If you make things worse rather than better, you’ll have to pay expensive plumbing fees to fix the problems.
If you have a clogged toilet with a low water level and a plunger isn’t doing the job, it’s time to try adding a bucket of lukewarm water to the toilet from a around three feet or higher. If the water goes down to a lower level again, then you should repeat the procedure.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Put a foot on each side of the toilet and put weight on each side, if you have any give you may have damage. You can save money by noticing and treating this problem as early as possible.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which you could purchase at a local store, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.
If water that is not supposed to be there is in the dishwasher, the likely culprit is a kitchen sink hose not properly attached. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
To limit toilet problems, don’t use it as a trash can. Never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. Don’t flush massive amounts of toilet paper at once, either. Most of the time, you shouldn’t need a lot of toilet paper to clean yourself; don’t use more than necessary. If you have an emergency that requires a lot of cleaning, flush toilet paper a little bit at a time instead of all at once.
Fix issues with low water pressure by cleaning sediment buildup out of your faucet’s aerator. Take the aerator off, disassemble it, and brush it clean with a little vinegar. Then you can simply rinse off the aerator and reassemble the faucet. Doing so will assist in increasing water pressure since obstructions in the aerator are removed in this process.
Garbage Disposal
Running cold water while using your garbage disposal is recommended even though some people insist that you don’t have to. Water will not make your garbage disposal run smoothly. The truth is that water could make garbage stick to the disposal, which might create a problem later.
Sometimes, the plumber is chosen by an insurance company without your input, but you can look them up online anyway. If an insurance company is requiring you to use a certain plumber, doing a background check on him can put you on guard should he have a bad reputation.
If sewage is backed up in your toilet, it’s most likely the result of a sever blockage of the branch line that connects the sewage line and main line. If you are unable to handle the issue on your own, you will need to hire a professional who can use a snake to unclog the line.
Choose your pipe cleaners with care. Some of them contain strong chemical agents that will damage your pipes. Choose a drain cleaner that is well-known and whose label says it will not harm 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.
Not being prepared for plumbing issues can prove to be troublesome. All homeowners should have at least a basic understanding on plumbing tools and improvement tips. Avoid a huge plumbing issue by learning to handle the smaller issues as they occur.