Now is a great time to become more knowledgeable about plumbing. You might have given it some thought before, but never made any time to gather information. If your plumbing system ever has issues, you’ll be glad you read this article.
Septic Tank Pumped
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. This prevents sediment from building up in the tank and causing a backup into your home or causing the failure of the septic system itself. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.
If you have a clogged toilet and a plunger is not helping to clear the blockage, if the water level is low, pouring a bucking of boiling water from a height into the toilet bowl could resolve the problem. Once the water is lower, do this again.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Anytime there is something caught in your kitchen drain, you should clean it out. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.
Never pour grease or anything fatty or oily into your drain. These materials may be liquid when you pour them in, but they will solidify and cause problems. Especially if you operate a garbage disposal, the fat causes blades to be less efficient. Keep a container in your kitchen that is used specifically for discarded grease.
You should always put plenty of cold water through your garbage disposal while it is running. Blades will stay sharper with cold water, making disposal quicker. When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.
To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Avoid flushing pads, cotton, towels, tissues or anything that cannot dissolve easily to avoid plugging the pipes. Even toilet tissue should be used conservatively. Use enough to clean yourself, of course, but if you need to use wads of tissue you should flush several times in the process instead of waiting till the end.
When replacing your shower head, pay attention to the quality of the replacement head. Some people think they can get away with the cheapest version at the store. While it may be cheap, chances are you will have to replace it sooner, as it’s more likely to break sooner.
If you want to try a pipe cleaner because your pipes are obstructed, it is recommended you use a cleaner that is enzyme based. These cleaners use natural bacteria to turn the sludge into a liquid, and remove it from your pipes. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
If you have frozen pipes that can be a very costly repair. Normally, you will be able to prevent this issue. First, make sure that your outside pipe are insulated well. When wintertime comes, disconnect and drain your hoses and shut off outside faucets. You can avoid future plumbing repairs by doing this, and therefore, saving you a lot of money.
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. After the aerator is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it under clear water, put it back together, and attach it to your faucet again. This should raise the water pressure nicely because anything that was inside of the aerator will be removed.
If you have grout deposits inside your pipes, it is almost impossible for an inexperienced homeowner to fix. The grout can be broken in order to send it further down the line. This works much better if your home has pipes made of plastic. However, usually you will need the services of a professional to get rid of this problem.
When using the garbage disposal, do not even bother running the water. It is assumed that food will go down more smoothly if the water is running, though in reality that does nothing good. Some things can stick to the disposal, and cause it to become damaged beyond repair.
Drain Cleaners
Steer clear of drain cleaners whenever possible. The chemicals in those kinds of drain cleaners can be corrosive and might damage pipes if you keep using them. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
If you need a plumber, check out his or her credentials first. A plumber that is not skilled in a particular task could actually aggravate the problem. Find some reviews of your local plumbers, or ask around to see if anyone has any recommendations or warnings.
Check to see if you have toilet leaks. An excellent method of checking this is by dropping a few food coloring drops in the tank of the toilet. Then, observe the bowl. If the water turns the same color as the food coloring, you know there is some sort of leak that must be fixed right away.
As the cold winter weather approaches, make sure that your outside faucets are not leaking or dripping. If there is any leaking or dripping, this needs to be fixed before the temperature falls below freezing. Freezing water can and will crack pipes, whether they are made of copper, steel, or plastic. Even a very small crack can cause significant water damage or even can flood your entire home.
Choose your drain cleaner with care. Avoid those that have chemicals that are damaging to pipes. Choose a brand that claims to be easy on 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.
Knowing about basic plumbing is a valuable skill. You will be able to save yourself a bunch of money, plus many of your friends and family members will come to you for advice. With any luck, the information and tips provided here will soon prove to be useful.