From time to time, we all have plumbing questions. Knowing how to take care of your system and fixing minor issues can save you a lot of money. This article has tips to prepare you for plumbing issues or emergencies.
To deal with a frozen pipe, turn on the faucet closest to the pipe. This gives the water a place to exit as the pipe defrosts. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Put the strainer on top of drains to catch any food that would go down and cause a clog. Anytime there is something caught in your kitchen drain, you should clean it out. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
Garbage Disposal
Keep your garbage disposal clean to make sure it lasts for awhile. Cleaning can be done with a variety of things you may already have in your home, such as dish-washing soap, the rinds of lemons, or the pits of cherries. When you create a regular cleaning schedule, you can make sure your garbage disposal runs in tip-top shape and smells fresh and like new.
Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. Do not call a plumber for minor issues. You can save money by waiting to have everything fixed at the same time. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.
Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Your shower consumes a majority of the hot water usage in your home. By installing energy-efficient shower heads for a few extra dollars, you can save up to $100 or more a year per shower head in your house.
If you notice water draining into your dishwater, check your kitchen sink. The hose might not be installed properly. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
Trash should go in the trash basket, not the toilet. Use the toilet for what it is designed for, and it won’t give you a lot of problems. A lot of commonly-flushed items such as tissues, cotton balls and swabs, paper towels, diapers, and sanitary napkins can clog up a toilet by failing to dissolve properly. Try to minimize the amount of toilet tissue that gets flushed, too – but don’t neglect basic hygiene!
Having to repair pipes that freeze could be very costly. Fortunately, such damage is easy to prevent. The first concern is making sure that all water lines that run outside of your house are fully and sufficiently insulated. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. Making sure that all of this is done will have you a lot of money in plumbing bills.
If grout is stick within the line, it is likely useless to try cleaning it on your own. With a little effort, you can get some of the grout broken down and on its way down the line. This works best if your pipes are plastic instead of metal. You may eventually have to get a professional to solve this problem.
Ensure your toilet does not have any leaks. Put food coloring into your toilet water in the tank to test for leaks. If colored water appears in your bowl soon after you put food coloring in the tank, your toilet is leaking. Fix leaks as soon as possible after you discover them.
You have to always be aware of where the primary water shut off valve is in your home. There will be a water meter on top of it. Also, locate additional shut off valves for toilets, sinks, washers and any other device that runs off of your water supply. Make sure every member of the family knows where the values are located, and mark them so they are easy to turn off in case the need arises.
Since most people have little knowledge about all that plumbing entails, they are willing to pay whatever a plumber demands for repair work. When you have a home of your own to care for, try to learn enough about plumbing to understand what you hear from a professional plumber. If you know what you’re paying for, you’ll be less likely to get ripped off.
If your washing machine’s drain pipe backs up, the first step is to snake it with a regular pipe snake. Sometimes lint and small things from the machine will build up and make it back up.
Avoid the chemical drain cleaners if you need to unclog any drains. These products do help open a clogged drain, but the chemicals they contain may damage the body, and this is especially true if it gets on the skin. If you must use such chemicals, be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves.
If you notice even a hint of water inside your walls, immediately turn off the water supply and phone a plumber at once. This could be evidence of a major problem with your plumbing. Many initially small problems can lead to hazardous mold, mildew or flooding.
If you plumb professionally, consider hiring an apprentice to work under you, since there are always plenty of up and coming plumbers looking for work. This approach provides cheap labor, and it may also help to develop a future business partner.
If your work is outdoors, pace yourself and don’t get overexposed to the sun. When you are focused on work while outside, it can be dangerous if you forget about the sun and heat.
It’s key that you are educated before a problem happens. Performing regular preventive maintenance is a great way to keep problems at bay. Follow the advice offered in this article, and be ready to take care of all of your future plumbing needs.