TIP! Avoid bleach tablets, blue toilet deodorizers or the other odor removers inside your toilet. These products can be great when it comes to getting rid of odors, but unfortunately, they can cause significant damage to the rubber portions of your toilet.

Do you know plumbing basics? If so, do you want to make it better? Describe your current skill level. Can you unclog a toilet? What about fixing a water leak under the sink? If you are unable to answer each of these questions satisfactorily, keep reading.

TIP! If you encounter a problem with your garbage disposal, resist the urge to reach in and fix it with your bare hands. Even while turned off, the garbage disposal is still a dangerous place for your fingers.

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. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. At worst, they will burst and you’ll be paying to repair the damage.

TIP! Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. 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.

If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them from bursting.

TIP! 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.

Don’t be tempted to use commercial bleach tablets, blue toilet tablets or any other product that claims to prevent toilet odor. They may get rid of toilet odors, but they can damage the rubber in the toilet, which can cause it to break down completely or to not function at all.

TIP! Prevention is the key to keeping your plumbing repair bills down. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a major plumbing repair.

If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and a plunger is not doing the trick, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water returns back to a lower level.

TIP! Do not use a drain cleaner if you can help it. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them.

Don’t put oil, grease or fat into your drain. When they cool, they will harden and create clogs in your drains. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Pour the grease and oil into a can to cool, put it in the trash.

TIP! If a plug needs to be removed, there are a few methods you can use. First, you can hammer a chisel around the fitting base to loosen it.

Water from wells can cause orange or rust colored stains in places like bathtubs and sinks. This comes from large amounts of iron present 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.

Garbage Disposal

TIP! When it gets cold out, ensure that your faucets outside aren’t dripping or leaking. You will have to fix this potential problem before freezing temperatures come.

Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. Cleaning can be done with a variety of things you may already have in your home, such as dish-washing soap, the rinds of lemons, or the pits of cherries. When you create a regular cleaning schedule, you can make sure your garbage disposal runs in tip-top shape and smells fresh and like new.

TIP! The valves that are rarely used can fuse together easily. You have to turn them often to avoid sticking, and keep penetrating them with oil.

Prevention is the key to keeping your plumbing repair bills down. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a major plumbing repair. Clogs in drains can be caused by hair, among other things. 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. Cleaning hair from the screen is a much easier affair than it would be to get the hair out of the pipe.

TIP! Everyone in your family should know exactly where your home’s main water shut off valve is and how to use it. There should be a water meter either on it or possibly close by.

Cold weather can cause expensive plumbing repairs if your pipes freeze. However, this problem can be prevented. Insulate the pipes that run outside with proper material. Before the cold season arrives, you should disconnect your hoses, drain them and store them. Outdoor faucets should be shut off, too. Doing this could help save lots of cash related to plumbing repair bills.

TIP! Because plumbing is a mysterious and hidden field to a lot of homeowners, they are willing to take any claim and any bill from a plumber at face value, no matter how ridiculous it is. If you own your own home, it’s important that you take the time to learn the basics of plumbing, enough to ensure that you know what a plumber will be doing.

Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. They have chemicals in them that are corrosive and can harm your pipes if they are poured down them frequently. Rather, if you have a blocked drain, consider having a professional plumber come out to diagnose the cause.

TIP! To make your water heater work better, pick the right size. Knowing the number of people and appliances that use hot water in your home will let you know what size hot water tank will be the best for your home.

It may be that you cannot control which plumber is sent to your house, though it is possible to read up on their qualifications. 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.

TIP! Avoid the chemical drain cleaners if you need to unclog any drains. While these can open it up, their chemicals can harm your body, particularly if they come in contact with your skin.

Temperatures are dropping, so check your outside faucets for dripping in order to prevent a freezing nightmare. If they are, you will need to make the necessary repairs before the freezing temperatures arrive. It does not matter if the pipes are made out of steel, copper or plastic, any water pressure from frozen water will cause them to crack. It does not take a very large break in a plumbing line to leak water in sufficient quantities to cause serious damage to your home, either.

TIP! If you work as a professional plumber, think about taking an apprentice with you. This is a beneficial way get inexpensive help, as well as a fulfilling way to teach a younger person your skills.

Many people aren’t well-versed in plumbing, and choose to pay whatever the plumber is asking for. If you are a homeowner, then you should be sure to educate yourself enough to at least understand what a professional is doing. If you know what you’re paying for, you’ll be less likely to get ripped off.

TIP! Things like carrots, banana, chicken skin and pumpkin are bad for the blades, because they will get caught and clog the drain. Dispose of these items in the trash before you put foods in the garbage disposal.

Do you now feel more knowledgeable where plumbing is concerned? Are you aware of the specific piping in your house? Do you feel your skills have improved? Can you use components to your plumbing system now? Are you skilled with all of the equipment? Hopefully, the hints and tips that you were given have enabled you to respond more positively to most or all of these questions.

Garbage Disposal

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