If you have to fix the plumbing in your home, you may be overwhelmed about what to do and where to begin. You will be a better plumber if you use the information in this article.
If a water pipe freezes, you should turn the on tap that is nearest to the pipe to ensure the water has a place to get out when the pipe thaws out. Doing so provides pressure relief, and might spare you the damage of a burst pipe.
Septic Tank
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. This stop sedimentary particles from accumulating in the tank, and in the worst cases, flooding your home or making the entire system to fail. If the cost of pumping your septic tank seems a bit steep, remember that the cost of cleanup and repair of a failed septic system will be much higher.
If your toilet will not flush, and there is very little water in the basin, try to fix the issue by dumping warm water in the bowl from around your waist line. Do this every time the water level gets too low.
If something is wrong with the disposal in your sink, avoid the temptation to stick your hand in there to fix it. Even when in the off position, garbage disposals are dangerous. You can search online to get schematics or troubleshooting advice for your garbage disposal.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or “softness” in the floor beneath you. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
Try to never pour grease, fat, or any oil-based liquids into your drains. These substances will harden as soon as they cool down, and clog your drains. This is most true if you use a garbage disposal, as the fat causes the blades to function slower and they will become less efficient. To keep your kitchen pipes clear, never dispose of grease down your sink drain.
One easy way to save on energy and water is to install efficiency-oriented shower heads. The majority of hot water is consumed by showers. When you install an energy-efficient shower head, you will reduce your home’s water consumption, which means money left in your pocket.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch — start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won’t be an issue.
Enzyme Based
If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. Enzyme based cleaners work by using natural bacteria that turns the sludge clogged in your pipes into a liquid, allowing it to flow down the drain with ease. The cleaners which use enzymes are currently rated the best available.
Taking preventative measures means you will not have to spend as much on plumbing repairs. Clogged drains are a major problem that often requires professional help. Hair can clog drains. You can prevent this from occurring by using a drain cover or a screen that is meant to keep the hair out of the drain and pipes. Make sure you clean the hair from the screen regularly. This should be much easier than cleaning a drain.
If you’re removing clean out plugs and you’re unsuccessful, you can use two methods to do it successfully. First, you should try a hammer and chisel to loosen the clean out plug. Another option is chiseling through the relevant clean out plug.
Take advantage of the information that you can obtain from the department or division of your state government that handles consumer affairs and protection when you are thinking of hiring a plumbing contractor. Make sure that every plumber you’re considering has an up to date license, and investigate whether they have outstanding negative complaints. Unless a contractor’s license is in favorable standing and up-to-date, you wouldn’t want to work with them.
It is essential that you know where your main cut-off valve is for your water supply on your property. There will be a water meter on top of it. Fixtures, such as sinks or toilets, may also be equipped with individual cut-off valves. Make sure every family member knows how to find these valves, and turn them off.
There are other skills plumbers need aside from being able to work with water. One of the more common repairs that a plumber will make is the repair of water lines.
As you’ve seen, plumbing is not that complicated. It’s just that there are quite a few basics to learn. All you need are some tools, patience, curiosity, and no fear of manual labor. Use these skills in tandem with the information you learned here, and you will have the job finished in no time.