When you are doing plumbing work, there may be some things that go wrong. You may be able to fix some problems easily, while others will take more effort. Whatever your particular situation, you need to be educated about plumbing so you will know if you need to call a plumber, or if you can fix it yourself.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. But, be advised that your pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature near those pipes is less than freezing. The best case scenario is that you can heat the pipes and the water will start flowing again. The other option is the pipes may burst, which would result in significant repair costs and a mess to clean up.
If you have a clogged toilet with a low water level and a plunger isn’t doing the job, it’s time to try adding a bucket of lukewarm water to the toilet from a around three feet or higher. Once the water is lower, do this again.
Garbage Disposal
If you discover a problem with the garbage disposal, don’t ever reach into it with your hands to attempt to fix it. Even an un-powered garbage disposal presents significant danger. Research your disposal online to locate a detailed diagram or troubleshooting guide for your model.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener is the easiest way to solve hard water problems relating to rust, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem–until it is. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
You should always put plenty of cold water through your garbage disposal while it is running. Cold water keeps blades sharp and allows for smoother disposal. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will turn into liquid, while causes pipe clogging.
Cheap Shower
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. In a lot of instances, folks decide they can get away with purchasing the most economical model on the shelf. Cheap shower heads are not well-made and are very likely to break. Buying a cheap shower head will end up costing you more money over the long-term.
Always remember to keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This could prevent you from a tons of trouble, and it can also prevent fires. Be certain that you thoroughly inspect the trap to ensure there are no tears or holes that may allow lint to travel to the pipes.
Drain Covers
Take preventative measures to keep your plumbing costs low. Clogged drains are a major problem that often requires professional help. Hair is one of the most common clog-producing materials. Put drain covers over your bathtub and sink drains to keep loose hair from going down the drain or into your pipes. You can easily clean out the drain covers on a regular basis; it’s harder to remove hair from drains once it’s fallen into them.
If grout has gotten stuck in the line, trying to clean it out yourself is probably not the best idea. You can try breaking it up to have it fall further which will help the flow get better. Plastic pipes are more conducive to clearing grout than metal pipes. However, this will most likely require a professional to do the job.
Letting your sink run is not really necessary when you put something down the in-sink disposal unit. While many people think that running water in conjunction with the disposal will cause it to work more efficiently, it simply isn’t true. In contrast, it could actually cause garbage or waste to stick to the insides of the disposal and do more damage than good.
If you are having trouble removing a clean-out plug, there are two ways to do it. The first method involves a hammer and chisel to loosen the fitting. The other option is chiseling through to clean out the plug.
Use services like the Consumer Affairs Department to find a reputable contractor. These departments offer current information on licensing status and open complaints cases. If they are not licensed or have complaints, you should choose someone else to do the job.
Washing Machine
You need to snake your washing machine drain stack if it overflows with a pipe snake. Lint and small debris in your washing machine can accumulate and create a clogged drain.
If you detect water leaking into your walls, you must turn off the water supply and contact a plumber right away. This is a sign there is something very wrong plumbing-wise. Many plumbing problems and leaks can contribute to mildew, mold or a flooded home.
For the conservation-minded consumer, it might be wise to purchase a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters do not store water, they heat it when you need it! This can save both money and energy, since you aren’t heating water that isn’t needed at the present time.
Brass Fixtures
Brass plumbing fixtures are highly recommended if you need any kind of plumbing fixture. For one, brass fixtures are far tougher and longer-lasting. Brass fixtures are also more appealing to the eye when compared to similar styles. You can find these fixtures in any hardware store.
Stringy and tough foods like celery, banana peels and chicken skin won’t grind well and clog the plumbing. Separate out these problem foods first, and throw them in a garbage can before dumping waste into the garbage disposal.
As previously stated, plumbing problems range from minor to really important. The information in this article should help to prepare you to face those problems with knowledge and confidence.