Plumbing problems can be quite a headache for a homeowner not familiar with how to fix plumbing. Professional plumbers charge a premium amount and require a long waiting period; most plumbing issues are easy fixes that even an amateur can do. Keep reading for ways to make your plumbing woes disappear.
You can easily fix noisy pipes. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. Get a professional to anchor any hidden pipes if you do not wish to do some work in your floors or walls by yourself.
To prevent your frozen pipes from bursting, leave the nearest faucet on to give the water a way to escape. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Understanding how your tools work can give you a tremendous boost when plumbing. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. Have everything you need by way of tools and information before you attempt a repair on your own.
Place a strainer over the drains to collect anything that could clog and cause stoppage. The strainer used in the kitchen will need to be cleaned frequently. The bathtub’s strainers need to cleaned out on a regular basis.
Avoid placing fat, grease, and other oils into your drain. These substances will harden as soon as they cool down, and clog your drains. A garbage disposal can even become clogged by hardened grease and it will not run at optimum speed and efficiency. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the trash.
Orange or pink discoloration on your bathroom fixtures is a solid indication that your water contains too much iron. Water softener can help this problem, and you can buy that at a store. Alternatively, you can hire someone to handle it.
Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. In order to keep it clean, you can use a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds which will keep the disposal running smooth and smelling fresh.
If you wish to use a pipe cleaner to clear out your clogged pipes, look for one that is enzyme-based. These will utilize natural bacteria to transform sludge into a liquid that can be removed. These enzyme cleaners are probably the best that exist.
When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. However, this can typically be prevented. The most important step is to keep any pipes close to the outside, well insulated. When it is cold outside make sure you bring in your hoses or at least drain them. Doing this can help save a lot of plumbing repair bills.
Drain Cleaners
Try not to use drain cleaners if you can. Drain cleaners contain very corrosive chemicals that can cause damage to your pipes if used too much. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
You can use two different methods to remove clean out plugs. Try to use a hammer and chisel to loosen it. You can also use your chisel to break the plug itself.
If you find yourself needing a plumber, don’t hire one until you have checked out his or her credentials. Some plumbers are not experienced enough or skilled enough to handle some jobs, and they can worsen your problem. Check reviews, and ask your friends and family for recommendations.
If you start to have sewage backup inside your toilet, it is because of blockage that is inside the branch line which connects the sewage line and the main line. You can run a device through this called a snake to try to clean up the clog. Or you can also purchase some specific drain cleaner and hope that works. If not, you’ll have to call in the professionals.
Valves that are rarely used tend to fuse together. Clean them using penetrating oil by turning them regularly to prevent them from sticking.
Use services like the Consumer Affairs Department to find a reputable contractor. It is important to verify that they have a valid license and to check on any complaints that may have been made against them. If they are not licensed or have complaints, you should choose someone else to do the job.
As most people don’t have a clue about plumbing, they will tend to pay whatever the plumber charges, no matter how large. If you own a home, you need to at least be able to understand what a plumber is doing when he makes repairs. The more you know, the less likely you’ll be likely to get ripped off.
You should be very careful when choosing drain cleaners. Some drain cleaners have strong chemicals that can damage the pipes. Make sure you select a brand that is advertised as gentle on the pipes. Some chemicals will kill the bacteria your plumbing system needs to function properly and could even be harmful to humans.
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!