Plumbing issues can occur at any time. It is important to have the necessary knowledge to fix plumbing issues yourself instead of calling a professional. These tips and hints will give you a little enlightenment on both ends of the spectrum, thus giving you the choice to proceed as you need with your plumbing demands.
You need to insulate any pipes have exposure to outside elements to avoid them freezing. You should also keep the temperature in the home above freezing to avoid your pipes freezing. If the temperature surrounding the pipes is anywhere below freezing, this can cause the pipes to freeze. The best case scenario is that you can heat the pipes and the water will start flowing again. However, they could burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
If you discover that a water pipe has frozen, find the tap closest to the pipe so when the thaw happens, the water has an exit point. As such, bursting can be halted, saving you from even more costly damages.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Whenever large particles become trapped in the strainer, remove them. Keep the bathroom drains cleaned out too.
If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, that is from iron in your water supply. Using a water softener can help fix this problem. You can obtain a water softener at any home improvement store, or rent them from specialist companies.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. Doing this will clear your pipes of any soap scum or hair that has accumulated.
Overflow Holes
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Sinks use overflow holes if they start to overfill, and this isn’t usually a problem, but it can be. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
Install water-saving shower heads to reduce your energy costs. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.
Superior quality is important when it comes to shower fixtures. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. Like many cheap products, however, cheap shower heads are often not durable.
Frozen pipes can cause you to incur expensive plumbing repair bills. They can generally be prevented, though. Start by insulating the outside pipes fully. Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. Doing so can prevent some nasty repair bills a professional plumber would charge you.
Drain Cleaners
Keep from using harsh drain cleaners. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them. Instead, if you find your drain is blocked up, look at hiring a professional to come out and look at it to see what the problem is.
If you need a plumber, check out their reviews before hiring. Some plumbers just don’t know how to handle certain tasks which could make the problem worse. It is always a good idea to get referrals from friends or family members, or to check out reviews about any plumber you are thinking about hiring.
If you start to have sewage backup inside your toilet, it is because of blockage that is inside the branch line which connects the sewage line and the main line. If you cannot clear the blockage, you will have to contact a professional, who will run a snake along the line to clear it.
As we near the winter months, you should check that none of your outdoor faucets are drippy or leaking water. If you find a problem, you need to move quickly to repair it, lest the faucet crack. It does not matter if the pipes are made out of steel, copper or plastic, any water pressure from frozen water will cause them to crack. Even the tiniest of cracks can release enough water to cause water damage or flooding to your home.
Check professional listings to find a good plumbing contractor. This will allow you to be sure that they are properly licensed and that they have not received a ton of complaints from previous clients. If a contractor’s license has expired or isn’t in good standing, you don’t want to hire that contractor.
Many people have no clue what plumbing entails, so they will pay whatever price the plumber demands. If you own a home, you should do what you can to educate yourself about plumbing so that you are not taking a plumber’s work and word on faith. This helps prevent them from ripping you off.
If, when you’re installing your new water heater, you notice that a pipe is extending from your draining pipe, make sure it’s reconnected. It is usually a recirculation pipe. This pipe is essential to keeping your water nice and warm without wasting water, which will help keep your bills down.
Washing Machine
If your washing machine’s drain stack overflows, snake it with a regular pipe snake. Lint can build up in the washing machine and cause a clog, which will lead to overflowing.
Don’t wait until the problem is here to educate yourself. Also, keeping your system maintained properly will help you avoid future disasters. Take the tips you’ve read here and implement them into your plumbing strategy, preparing you to keep your plumbing in great shape and deal with any problems as they arise.