When it comes to plumbing, many things can go wrong. Some problems are a simple fix, but others need a professional. Whatever the situation you find yourself in, it’s best to be educated on plumbing if you want to be able to take care of things around the house.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
Never pay for a plumbing job completely until they have finished the job. In some cases, you have to make a down payment prior to the first day of work. This is okay to do; however, don’t let your plumber talk you into paying the entire cost of a job before he’s finished, and never pay the whole cost before he’s even begun. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.
Don’t use bleach tablets, odor removers or those blue tablets in your toilet. While they are good at removing odors, they have a detrimental effect on the parts of the toilet that are rubber. This can make it not function correctly and may even break it.
If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and a plunger is not doing the trick, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. You can repeat this procedure once the water returns to a low level.
To lessen the chances of toilet problems, do not use as a place to put trash. Don’t flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, such as diapers, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
If you have to replace any of your shower heads, make sure that the replacement is the best one you can afford. Some people think it’s alright to get the cheapest head for your shower in the store. These types of fixtures are prone to breakage and are much less sturdy.
Lint Trap
Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This can prevent various problems, including a fire. Also, check the lint trap to see if there are telltale signs that lint may be leaking into your pipes through holes and tears.
When you grind things up in the garbage disposal, don’t run the water while doing so. 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 fact, it could cause garbage to stick to your disposal, which can create more damage.
Avoid using drain cleaners as much as possible. Compounds that are ingredients in common drain cleaners are quite corrosive and can cause pipe damage if overused. When you have a plumbing blockage, consider calling out a professional to determine what the source of the problem is.
If you are looking into hiring a plumber, make certain you do your research first before you hire one. Some plumbers are not experienced enough or skilled enough to handle some jobs, and they can worsen your problem. Always look at reviews on plumbers, or ask your family or friends if they know of one.
Be certain that your toilet does not have a leak. An easy way to determine this is to add a couple drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If you then see the colors show up in the bowl right away, you can be assured that there is an issue that should be addressed.
When winter is on the horizon, it is particularly important to check your outside water fixtures to ensure they aren’t leaking or dripping. If you find dripping or leaking, make the repairs before the temperature plummets. If your pipes freeze, no matter what they are made of, water pressure may make them crack. Even a tiny crack can leak enough water to flood your home.
Those valves will rarely get fully used but can fuse together. Maintain the water valves every so often with a qualtiy penetrating oil, turning each of them every now and then to prevent them from sticking.
A lot of people don’t have a clue about plumbing, and will pay a plumber whatever he charges. If you own your own home, you owe it to yoruself and your wallet to learn enough about plumbing basics to at least understand what a plumber is doing and why. You will not lose any money this way.
If you see water dripping into your walls, it is crucial that you shut off your water supply and call a plumber immediately. This is an indication that there is serious problem with your plumbing. One result could be the growth of mildew and mold. A large leak could result in your house actually flooding.
Brass Fixtures
When looking for plumbing fixtures, give strong consideration to those made of brass. Brass fixtures last much longer and tend to be more durable. Also, the appearance of the brass fixtures is a lot prettier than similar counterparts. These can be found in any home repair type of store.
If your work is outdoors, pace yourself and don’t get overexposed to the sun. It’s easy to forget the sun’s heat when you’re involved in working, but it’s still dangerous.
Items that shouldn’t go in the disposal include chicken skin, pumpkins, carrots and bananas. All these foods can catch on the blades and cause clogs. Get rid of these items prior to using your disposal; you can simply toss them in the trash.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, there are many different problems that can go wrong with your plumbing, from something so small to something big. Use these tips and you will discover that it is not necessary to stress over plumbing problems. There is always a solution.