Everyone has plumbing issues, here and there. Everyone wants to understand how to fix a problem, or how to ensure their plumbing is well maintained so as to prevent problems from happening again, for example. The following article is going to give you advice to help you with any plumbing situation.
Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. It will take a while for the pipes to thaw, leaving you without running water. At worst, they will burst and you’ll be paying to repair the damage.
Don’t use bleach tablets, odor removers or those blue tablets 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.
If you aren’t having any luck using a plunger on a clogged toilet, you may want to try pouring warm water into it from waist high. Repeat this as many times as necessary until your clog is gone, and you can flush normally once again.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. 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. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, this is likely a result of iron levels in the well water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Do not flush things like paper towels, sanitary pads, tissues, diapers, cotton balls or anything else that might cause the toilet to get clogged. In addition, you should only use the amount of toilet paper that is absolutely necessary when cleaning yourself.
Inexpensive Shower
Get a good quality replacement shower head. Most times, people tend to think that it is alright to purchase the most inexpensive shower head they could find. Inexpensive shower heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.
If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. A enzyme-based cleaner will remove the clog by turning it into a liquid, freeing it from the drain. The best options on the market now are enzyme cleaners.
The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This can prevent a lot of problems, including a fire. Be sure to inspect the lint screen for any tears or holes. That could result in lint traveling down your pipes, and that may result in clogs and other issues that have to be dealt with.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. If you find that your drain is clogged, think about hiring a plumber to do a estimate and tell you what the issue is.
Valves that get rarely used occasionally fuse together. Keep them lubricated using penetrating oil. Be sure to turn them periodically to avoid sticking.
Plumbing problems can be a nightmare because of the destruction that plumbing leaks can cause. If you know one thing, you can easily avoid this. To keep your home safe from water damage, you should know where the house’s water main valve is located, and how to quickly turn it off.
Consider drain cleaning products and their active ingredients carefully. A number of them have strong chemical ingredients that damage pipes. Choose a drain cleaner that is well-known and whose label says it will not harm pipes. Your pipes depend on certain bacteria. If you kill off the bacteria with chemicals, your system will not run properly.
Tankless water heaters are great for conserving both water and energy. Unlike the typical water heater that will continually heat water through the day, this unit will only heat the water as you use it. Not only will you save money, but you will also have more hot water available to you.
Brass Fixtures
If you are in need of plumbing fixtures, you should strongly consider going with brass ones. The durability of brass fixtures means that they will remain in good condition for many years. Brass fixtures often look much more aesthetically pleasing than other materials. Any home repair store is certain to carry brass fixtures.
There are a lot of amateurs in the plumbing world, so consider taking an apprentice under your wing if you are one of the professionals. This will not just give you an inexpensive helping hand, it will also allow you to show an interested person the ins and outs of plumbing.
Always learn about the options before you actually begin working on home or public plumbing system. Also, keeping your system maintained properly will help you avoid future disasters. Following the ideas and tips contained here can help you take care of many of your plumbing repairs in the future.