Often, the plumbing in a house starts malfunctioning soon after you move in. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most likely sources of these problems. Actually, sooner or later all homeowners will experience a plumbing issue of some sort. The following advice will assist you, should this situation arise.
Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
To keep your pipes from getting frozen, always maintain a temperature in the house above freezing and make sure all pipes exposed to outside elements are insulated properly. 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.
If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. As such, bursting can be halted, saving you from even more costly damages.
Septic Tank
Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. Having your septic pumped will keep sediments from settling to the bottom of the septic tank and causing the tank to malfunction or backup. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. They might be in liquid form, but after they cool off, they will solidify and make a clog in your drain pipe. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Dispose of your oils in a coffee can or other suitable container instead of your sink.
If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, it’s because of the iron level in the water. Using a water softener can help fix this problem. You can obtain a water softener at any home improvement store, or rent them from specialist companies.
Putting a cup of any kind of baking soda followed with a cup of white vinegar each month will keep your drain running smoothly. This will cause the vigorous bubbling you may remember from the “volcano” in a grade school science project, so be sure to close the drain with a stopper. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. Although this is useful for clearing away simple clogs made of hair and soap debris, it will not work for serious blockages.
Overflow Holes
Check your fixtures to ensure the overflow holes are clear of debris and mineral build-up. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. It’s easy to maintain your plumbing, in this regard. When you’re performing periodic checks, simply clear any overflow holes while checking for other potential problems.
A sink hose that is installed incorrectly will lead to water flowing into the dishwasher. The hose connecting the sink the the dishwasher should be at an uphill angle and then downhill to prevent the water from mixing.
Do not flush unneeded things down your toilet if you want to lessen your chance of having issues. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Reduce your use of toilet paper if you notice frequent clogs.
Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. Cheap shower heads can break much more easily.
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. These will utilize natural bacteria to transform sludge into a liquid that can be removed. Enzyme cleaners are considered one of the best the market has.
Lint Trap
The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This could prevent you from a tons of trouble, and it can also prevent fires. Always check your lint trap for damage, such as holes or tears. This could allow lint to enter your pipes, leading to clogs or other plumbing complications.
The secret to low or even no repair bills from plumbing issues is prevention. One of the major repairs is clogs. Clogs in drains are often caused by buildups of hair. A great way to help prevent those clogs is to install a screen on top of the drain. Just make sure that it properly fits your drain. Most objects will not fall through the drain cover, and even hair usually won’t make it through.
A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. Fortunately, such damage is easy to prevent. Start by insulating the outside pipes fully. Before winter, drain your hoses and disconnect your outdoor faucets. A bit of prevention prevents a costly plumbing bill.
Being prepared for plumbing problems is essential. All homeowners should have at least a basic understanding on plumbing tools and improvement tips. If you should face a future plumbing problem, the information you gained here will help you tackle the situation.