Plumbing 101: Tips And Tricks For Your Pipes

TIP! Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Those pipes will need to be anchored if they are exposed.

A lot of people think plumbing is something best left to the professionals. However, it’s easier if you have right suggestions and information. This article contains a number of tips on plumbing that will help you on your way to finishing your project.

TIP! To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees.

If your pipes make squeaking and hammering noises, it may be very simple to fix. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. If these pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, you are probably best calling a profession plumber to take over the project.

TIP! 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. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.

If you have a water pipe that freezes, have the tap closest to it turned on so the water can exit while the pipe thaws. If there is too much pressure within the pipe, it may burst, causing other forms of damage in the home.

TIP! Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. It is customary to put down one-third to one-half of the total cost before the work is started, but do not pay in full until it is complete.

Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.

TIP! If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. Using a water softener can help fix this problem.

You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. Study before any do it yourself project by reading any relevant manuals, going online and even making trips to your local public library. Before attempting any repairs, plan ahead, or you may make a costly mistake.

TIP! Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Cover the drain with an old rag, because there will be a chemical reaction taking place inside the pipes.

If you are unable to relieve a clogged toilet with a plunger, try pouring a small bucket of water into the bowl from about waist level if the level of water in the bowl is low. If the water goes down to a lower level again, then you should repeat the procedure.

TIP! By installing shower heads that are more efficient, you will be able to save a lot of money. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering.

Never try to fix a garbage disposal by putting your hand down into it. Garbage disposals are not healthy places for hands to be, even if they are not running. Use the Internet to find a diagram of your device, or a troubleshooter.

TIP! Cleaning an aerator can remove sediment buildup that causes low water pressure. You need to remove, disassemble, and clean the aerator with vinegar and a small brush.

Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. You should dispose of all oils outside of the sink.

Chemical Reaction

TIP! Locate the main water shut-off for your property before you start any DIY plumbing projects. It is likely very close to your water meter.

Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. This will cause a chemical reaction to occur and you should plug the drain. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. This procedure should clear the pipes of soap scum and accumulated hair.

TIP! If you choose to use drain cleaner, select it carefully. Some of these cleaners have chemicals that corrode your pipes.

Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. Avoid the temptation to purchase an inferior quality head for your shower. Usually these break easily.

TIP! To ensure that your new water heater operates as efficiently as possible, you should opt for a model that offers only the necessary capacity for your household. By knowing how many individuals utilize warm water in your house, you will know the hot water tank size that is right for the house.

Having to repair pipes that freeze could be very costly. However, this can typically be prevented. Make sure that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. When colder weather is approach, disconnect your garden hoses and make sure the outside water fixtures are turned off. If you take these preventative measures, you will save money in the long run.

TIP! When you replace a water heater, be sure to reconnect the secondary pipe that sticks out from the drain pipe, if one is there. These pipes help to recirculate the water in the tank, keeping it hot while using less water and energy.

Do not expect to clean grout out of a line by yourself. You might be able to break it up a little bit and then get it a little further down the line. The problem will be easier to fix with plastic pipes rather than metal. However, this will most likely require a professional to do the job.

TIP! If the drain stack for your washing machine overflows, try snaking it with a standard pipe snake. Every now and then, lint and other tiny washing machine items can build within the pipe, which can cause it to back up or clog.

Many people don’t fully understand plumbing, so they pay whatever the plumber asks for. Learn some plumbing basics so that you’ll understand what the plumber needs to do to resolve problems in your home. By educating yourself, you’ll equip yourself to avoid scams or unreasonably high prices when hiring plumbers.

TIP! Some items, including pumpkin and carrots, can harm the disposal, because they become stuck and clog up the sink. Get rid of these items prior to using your disposal; you can simply toss them in the trash.

When unclogging your drain, don’t use chemical drain openers. These chemicals are caustic and can actually burn you if they come in contact with your skin. If you plan to use them, wear long sleeved shirts and gloves.

Brass Fixtures

TIP! Water should never accumulate around your water heating unit. If it does, there is a leak and you should turn off the water to the unit immediately.

When looking at new fixtures for your plumbing, look at the option of purchasing ones made of brass. For starters, brass fixtures are much more durable and last longer. In addition, brass fixtures are more aesthetically appealing than fixtures made of other materials. You can find these in home improvement stores.

TIP! Be sure that everyone in your home knows how to shut off the water to your house, and to all of the different connections in your home. You want everyone to understand what needs to be done in order to cease the flow of water throughout your house when the threat of water damage may occur from flooding.

The plumbing industry contains many rookie workers, so it might be wise to take on an apprentice if you consider yourself a professional. An apprentice will be able to help you, and this is an opportunity for you to pass on your professional skills to someone new.

TIP! Keep any pipes that are in danger of freezing well-insulated or heated. As soon as it gets cold enough outside, then these exposed pipes are under danger of freezing.

Try to limit the amount of exposure to the sun you receive. If you get caught up in your activities, the sun’s rays and heat are easy to slip your mind, but that doesn’t mean they get less dangerous.

TIP! Do not clean your fiberglass bathtubs or sinks with an abrasive cleaner. Use laundry detergent or dish soap instead.

To save both time and money, group all your plumbing fixes to be done at one time. Create a list of all the plumbing issues you would like to have a professional address. This limits your up front expense to one call and also saves you the time and stress of a second call.

TIP! Every winter, drain and disconnect garden hoses. When garden hoses are not drained or disconnected, they can freeze and damage any pipes attached to them.

If there are puddles of water near your water heater, close the shut off valves right away. If you don’t take care of it, a minor leak can become something big, and the valve will be much harder to shut off.

Flood Alarms

TIP! Be sure to keep your pipes from blocking up by cleaning them regularly with tools or chemicals. This is very important for pipes located outside your house, such as toilet pipes or drains, which are sometimes blocked by tree roots.

Certain property owners are choosing to put in flood alarms for a portion of their entire system for home plumbing. A flood alarm will protect your property from water damage, much like a smoke detector will protect your house from fire. Just like smoke alarms, flood alarms are battery-powered devices that emit an alarm when touched by water. A flood alarm can make you aware of leaks in your home or a potential flood.

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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.

Learn How To Do Your Own Basic Plumbing

TIP! It’s easy to fix noisy pipes which squeak or sound like hammering. Anchor any pipes that are exposed.

Everyone has a plumbing question at one time or another. We want to know how we can fix things ourselves and to learn basic maintenance tips. This article will provide you with both so you can be prepared for any plumbing emergency that may arise.

Septic Tank

TIP! If your garbage disposal is having problems, don’t give in to the desire to attempt a fix by reaching down into the disposal. Garbage disposals always pose a possible threat, even when powered off or non-working all together.

Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.

TIP! Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. The strainer used in the kitchen will need to be cleaned frequently.

Do not pay your plumber until they finish the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.

TIP! Check overflow holes to make sure there’s no clog. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed.

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. Once the water level gets low again, repeat the process.

Save Money

TIP! Do not use your toilet to get rid of garbage. Don’t put disposable sanitary objects down the toilet.

Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. Rather than calling a plumber every time there is a minor problem, taking care of everything at once allows you to save money for additional repairs down the road. It can also save money since most plumbers will charge you by the hour. Coming out just once will cut down on the time it takes, making your bill smaller.

TIP! Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head.

Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will turn into liquid, while causes pipe clogging.

TIP! Clean the lint trap in your dryer. This not only prevents fires, but saves money.

Installing more efficient shower heads can save you tons of money on your energy bill. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.

Kitchen Sink

TIP! If you’re removing clean out plugs and you’re unsuccessful, you can use two methods to do it successfully. You can use a hammer and a chisel to attempt to make the fitting looser.

If you notice water draining into your dishwasher, check how the kitchen sink hoses are installed. This hose must lead uphill and downhill to prevent mixing water between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher.

TIP! It is always a good idea to do your research before hiring a plumber to come and do work in your home. Sometimes plumbers will not be very good at their job, and can even make problems worse than they are.

If you have clogged pipes, try cleaning them with an enzyme pipe cleaner. The natural enzymes in these cleaners dissolve the clog, turning it into liquid, freeing it from the pipes. The enzyme cleaners are the best on the market.

TIP! Rarely used valves can fuse together. Periodically turn these valves off and one.

Make sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap. This can prevent fires and malfunctions. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, because this can cause bigger problems as it may mean that lint is escaping into your pipes.

TIP! Choose a drain cleaner wisely. There are some drain cleaners on the market that may damage your pipes.

Fix low water pressure by cleaning out the aerator to clean out sediment buildup. Get rid of the aerator, remove it, and clean it with a brush dipped in some vinegar. Rinse the aerator, reassemble it and reattach it to the faucet. This should remove any obstructions that were in the aerator, thereby improving your water pressure.

TIP! To be efficient about the water heater, you have to figure out what size tank is required by your household. Take into consideration the size of your household and the number of appliances that require hot water to find the right size.

There are two ways to remove clean out plugs. The first method you can try is using a chisel with a hammer to get the fitting loose. The only other alternative is to chisel through the plug.

TIP! Water heaters often have a pipe that reaches from the drain pipe and this must be reconnected during installation of a new unit. This could be a recirculation pipe.

It may be that you cannot control which plumber is sent to your house, though it is possible to read up on their qualifications. Even if your insurer determines your plumber, you should go to their website and read any available consumer reviews to reinforce your faith in their abilities.

TIP! If you notice that water has saturated your walls, reach for the shutoff valve and notify a plumber right away. This could mean that you have some serious plumbing issues.

The valves that are hardly ever used have their way of somehow fusing together. Apply penetrating oil on a regular basis, and turn it so as to stop it from seizing.

TIP! Bananas, chicken skin and other food particles can become trapped in the blades of the disposal and block the drain. Instead, these foods should be disposed of in a trash can or even a compost heap.

Before hiring a contractor for plumbing or other jobs, make sure you look into their records through the Department of Consumer Affairs. You should verify that they hold a valid licence and look over any bad feedback filed against them. They need to have a valid license, or they should not do any work in homes.

TIP! To find signs of water damage in tiles, you should first check to make sure there are not any that have become loose. Loose tiles can be a warning of a leak in need of repair.

Many people don’t fully understand plumbing, so they pay whatever the plumber asks for. If you own your own home, then you must learn what you need to know what the professional will be doing. By gaining this education, you can protect yourself from getting ripped off by a shady plumber.

TIP! Maintain your faucets and pipes to prevent leaks. Leaks can waste upwards of 150 gallons every single day so it is extremely important to check your pipes for moisture on a regular basis.

If you are putting in a water heater make sure that the pipe that is connected to the drainage pipe is reconnected. It’s probably a recirculation pipe, and that can help your water remain heated without wasting water.

TIP! Thaw frozen pipes using a hairdryer. The relatively low heat will be slower, but safer than more hazardous solutions, and should help avoid calling a plumber.

Avoid the chemical drain cleaners if you need to unclog any drains. While these can open it up, their chemicals can harm your body, particularly if they come in contact with your skin. If you must use them, wear long sleeves and gloves.

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Being prepared will be of assistance, should a plumbing issue arise. If you keep an eye on your plumbing system regularly, you’ll notice issues before they become major concerns. If you follow these tips, you can be ready to fix anything else that goes wrong with your plumbing.