Many people think do-it-yourself plumbing is difficult. The right knowledge and equipment make it simpler, though. This article is packed with plumbing tips to help you finish any plumbing project you begin.
While various toilet tablets and odor removers may be tempting, it’s best not to use them in your toilet. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Garbage disposals always pose a possible threat, even when powered off or non-working all together. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you. You can wind up saving your money simply by noticing the problem early on.
Have all the plumbing repairs done in one visit. It might be tempting to call up a plumber every time you have a small problem, but if you will save all the plumbing issues for one time, it can be helpful. It will allow you save the money for the 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.
An incorrectly installed hose from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher can cause unwanted water to drain into the dishwasher. The hose from your sink to your dishwasher needs to go upward before going back down so that there is no mixing between fixtures.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Also, you want to use the least amount of toilet paper to clean yourself.
Lint Trap
Make sure to clean out the dryers lint trap. This not only prevents fires, but saves money. Be sure you inspect your lint trap for tears or holes that could mean lint is going into your pipes, which can cause clogs and issues.
Cleaning the aerator will fix low water pressure issues that are caused from sediment buildup. Take apart the faucet, and clean the aerator with vinegar and a small brush. Rinse the piece, put it back together, and put it back on the faucet. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.
Stay away from drain cleaners! Corrosive chemicals erode the metal pipes slowly. Rather than using drain cleaners, hire a plumber to fix your blockage problems.
If there is sewage backing up in your toilet, it is probably due to blockage in a branch between the sewage and main lines. If you are not able to remove the blockage, you need to contact a professional to snake the line clear.
Because people are often ignorant of what plumbing involves, they’re happy to pay whatever price a plumber asks of them. If you are a homeowner, then you should be sure to educate yourself enough to at least understand what a professional is doing. By educating yourself, you’ll equip yourself to avoid scams or unreasonably high prices when hiring plumbers.
Choose drain cleaners wisely. Many of these cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can corrode pipes. Pick a brand that will be gentle on your pipes. Certain chemicals can kill bacteria that are important in your pipes, or even be poisonous.
If you are installing a new water heater and you notice a pipe extending from the drainage pipe, make sure this pipe is reconnected. This is probably a recirculation pipe. It does a lot to keep your water hot while minimizing inefficient wasting of water.
Drain Openers
It is inadvisable to use drain openers containing harsh chemicals in order to open a clogged drain. Many chemicals in drain openers are hazardous to your health. If they come in contact with your skin, they can burn you or cause other health problems. If you must use them, do so while wearing protective clothing like gloves on your hands and shirts with sleeves long enough to cover your arms.
If you detect water leaking into your walls, you must turn off the water supply and contact a plumber right away. This is an indication that there is serious problem with your plumbing. Water within walls can cause not just flooding, but also toxic mold or mildew.
When replacing plumbing fixtures, brass is an option to consider. Brass fixtures tend to last longer with fewer problems. Brass fixtures are also look classier than other fixture options. They can be purchased in any home improvement store.
Save time by grouping your plumbing problems into the same call. Write down all the plumbing problems you need to address in advance of calling the plumber out for a visit. It saves both time and money if the plumber addresses all your problems in one visit.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.