Plumbing issues are a headache for people who don’t know how to fix them. There are, of course, licensed plumbers, but they usually can’t come to your house right away and charge an arm and a leg to fix simple issues. Keep reading to discover ways to make plumbing repairs and fixes that much easier!
Frozen Pipe
To deal with a frozen pipe, turn on the faucet closest to the pipe. This gives the water a place to exit as the pipe defrosts. Letting the water drain out will relieve pressure in the frozen pipe, which will reduce the chances of it bursting and damaging your home.
Avoid using any tablets that are meant to reduce odor in and around your toilet. The rubber parts of your system can be damaged by the chemicals contained in these tablets and stop functioning.
If your toilet gets clogged, there is a low level of water in toilet, and the plunger is not working, you may fix the problem by dumping warm water from a bucket into your toilet from about waist level. You can repeat this procedure once the water returns to a low level.
If your garbage disposal is giving you problems, never stick your hand in it to fix it yourself. Garbage disposals can be very dangerous, so take caution when fixing it, even while it’s turned off. You can look online to find the diagram for the disposal that you have.
Schedule your plumbing jobs all together. It might be tempting to hire a plumber for every little problem, but if you can save it up for one big fix, then you have time to set money aside for these repairs. It also costs less because most plumbers will charge you per hour and include a minimum rate for coming out. If you call them out multiple times, those charges for them coming out will add up quickly.
Install low flush toilets and energy efficient shower heads and faucets to reduce your utility bills. Most of our hot water is used in the shower. Invest in an energy-efficient shower head and you could save a hundred dollar every year on your water bill.
Dishwashers that have too much water running into them could have a hose installed improperly. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.
Enzyme Based
When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. Enzyme based cleaners use “good” bacteria to transform the clog into a liquid, which will remove it from pipes. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
Always clean the lint from your dryer. This can prevent troubles, including fires. Inspect your lint trap often to see if there are any tears or holes. If there are, you can have lint getting into your pipes, and this will clog them and give you more problems that will have to be dealt with.
If you want to add some water pressure to the shower or any spigot in the home, make sure you clean out the aerator. A small brush (an old toothbrush is ideal) dipped in vinegar will do a great job on the aerator after it’s been removed and disassembled. Rinse off the aerator then reassemble and reattach to the faucet. That should help raise water pressure, as any aerator obstacles will be gone.
If you have grout in your water line, you shouldn’t try cleaning it yourself because it will be pointless. The grout can be broken up and sent further down. It works better if you have plastic pipes instead of metal pipes. It’s up to a professional to fix this problem, though.
Drain Cleaners
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. Drain cleaners contain very corrosive chemicals that can cause damage to your pipes if used too much. Sometimes, finding a professional to fix a blocked drain is the best way to solve the problem.
Infrequently used valves can stiffen with age and become inoperable. Clean them using penetrating oil by turning them regularly to prevent them from sticking.
Although plumbing mostly has to do with water, you still need many other skills to become a good plumber. One of the most common things that a plumber works on is fixing water lines.
Use care when choosing a drain cleaner. Some drain cleaners have strong chemicals that can damage the pipes. Pick a brand that will be gentle on your pipes. Most are quite caustic, and some can be harmful if you have a septic system.
Hot water running through your copper plumbing lines can cause some minor expansion in the pipes. They can slip from their hangers and make noise or even cause damage. To avoid this, put a tape layer around the pipes and return them to the hangars.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!