TIP! If you have pipes that make hammering and squeaking noises, you have one easy repair. Those pipes will need to be anchored if they are exposed.

Proper plumbing is essential to maintaining your home. Your plumbing may need attention at an inconvenient time when money is low or no plumbers are available. The following article provides you with hints and tips that can help you update, maintain and repair your home’s plumbing system.

TIP! Don’t let your house temperature drop to below freezing and make sure to insulate anything that is exposed to the outside elements to prevent frozen pipes. It is easy for pipes to freeze whenever the mean temperature near the pipes drop below freezing.

It’s easy to fix noisy pipes which squeak or sound like hammering. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.

TIP! Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Having it cleaned out prevents the sediment from accumulating in the septic tank and creating a sewage backup in your house or triggering the meltdown of the entire septic system.

If you don’t want plumbing in your home frozen, then don’t let the inside temperature go under the freezing mark, and make sure any pipes that have no protection from the elements are thoroughly insulated. But, be advised that your pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature near those pipes is less than freezing. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. However, frozen pipes often burst, causing damage to your home and a hefty repair bill.

TIP! Do not pay your plumber until they finish the job. Sometimes plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction.

If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.

TIP! Knowing all your different tools and how they are used will be a great help when you work on a plumbing job. Make sure you read all the directions and manuals, while also taking advantage of online resources and the library to help you with your projects.

Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets in your toilet. Both of these may help to eliminate odors from your toilet, but it can also damage the rubber parts of your toilet, causing it to not function probably, or even to break down completely.

TIP! You can check for damage to the floors around the toilets by checking for soft areas. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground.

If your toilet gets clogged, your plunger is not fixing it, and your water level inside of the toilet appears low, you can sometimes fix the problem by dumping warm water into your toilet at waist level (or maybe even a little higher). If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.

TIP! If your home operates on well water and you notice pink or orange stains in your bathtub and other fixtures, this is no doubt due to iron in the water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.

Frequently inspect the floors around toilets for softness; this can tell you whether or not the floors are damaged. Sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or “give” in the floor. It’s important to catch and address floor damage problems as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.

TIP! Schedule one plumber to take care of all your issues in one single visit. You might want to call every time you need a tiny issue fixed with your plumbing, but if you know the system is bad, if you just call once, you can start saving for the major repair before you call.

Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. Grease hardens when it cools and will clog your pipes. As an owner of a garbage disposal, this is important because the blades will stop working if they have fat on them. Pour the grease and oil into a can to cool, put it in the trash.

TIP! It is very important to to use lots of cold water when running your garbage disposal. When cold water hits the garbage disposal, it sharpens the blades.

A great way to knock out your plumbing issues in one shot is to schedule everything at once. You might be tempted to have a plumber come out for every little thing that happens, but kicking the can on some issues until you have a list means you can save a few bucks. 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.

Shower Heads

TIP! If you have grout stuck in the line, it’s futile to try and clean it out yourself. You can try to break up the grout and send it further down.

You can drastically reduce your utility bills with the installation of shower heads designed for better efficiency. You use the majority of your hot water in the shower. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.

TIP! Ensure the toilet is free of any leaks. A simple way to check this is to put a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank.

Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. The problem about this is they aren’t sturdy and they tend to break a lot easier.

TIP! Make it a habit to run your rarely used valves on a regular basis to avoid plumbing problems. Keep them maintained and functioning properly by applying penetrating oil.

If you need to buy a pipe cleaner to unclog your pipes, it is best to find one that is enzyme based. Enzyme-based cleaners actually digest part of the sludge, liquefying it, and cleaning your drain naturally. The cleaners that have enzymes are the best you can buy.

TIP! A lot of people find plumbing to be a very scary subject since it problems with it can cause much damage to their dwelling. However, if you have the right knowledge you can prevent major problems.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage and cost you money. This problem is easily avoided. The first step is to check your outside pipes and ensure they are well insulated. When cold weather sets in, turn off your outside faucets, disconnect all hoses and drain them. This will keep you from paying too much to your plumber.

TIP! You can use a plumber’s snake on your washing machine drain if it needs it, as well as on sink drains. Your washing machine can back up if small things get caught in the pipe, like lint.

By now, you have learned a number of great ways to maintain your plumbing. By utilizing these tips in your home, you can not only fix your plumbing in an emergency, but you can also cut costs by reducing the need for a professional plumber.

Shower Heads

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