The great benefits provided by indoor plumbing are rather hard to explain to a homeowner dealing with a flooded basement, a broken fixture or a leak in a wall. Serious plumbing disasters can be extremely damaging to any home. The good news is there are steps that every homeowner can take to stop plumbing nightmares from coming to life, and for fixing them before they get out of control.
Septic Tank
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.
When running your garbage disposal, always use a lot of cold water. The cold water helps keep the blades sharp and can make disposal much smoother. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes.
By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. 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.
Enzyme based pipe cleaners work really well at unclogging your pipes. These will utilize natural bacteria to transform sludge into a liquid that can be removed. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
Lint Trap
You should always clean your dryer’s lint trap. This could prevent you from a tons of trouble, and it can also prevent fires. You also need to be sure the lint trap is free of holes or small openings that could allow lint to get to your pipes. This could result in other problems in your home to deal with.
Don’t bother running water when you use your garbage disposal. Water does nothing to make the garbage disposal work more efficiently, even though many people seem to think that it makes the process smoother. It could even cause food to stick to the blades of the disposal, creating damage.
Don’t use drain cleaners if you can avoid it. If you utilize them too often you can damage your pipes. If you believe your drain is seriously clogged, have a professional plumber examine the line.
If you are having trouble removing clean out plugs, there are a couple ways in which to resolve this. A hammer and chisel can be used to slacken the fitting. The only other method is to take the chisel and use it right through the plug.
If sewage backs up into a toilet in your home, there is likely a clog in the line that connects your sewer line to your main line. A professional can help if you can’t clear the problem yourself. They will use a plumbing snake to get rid of the clog.
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 they are, it is important to have all repairs completed before the temperatures drop below freezing. Frozen water puts a lot of pressure on pipes and makes them crack, regardless of the material. It does not take a very large break in a plumbing line to leak water in sufficient quantities to cause serious damage to your home, either.
If you are looking for a plumbing contractor, take some time to check with the Department of Consumer Affairs. You can look at their track record, looking to see whether their license is valid and if they have any complaints lodged against them. If they don’t generate appealing results, you can simply move forward and find someone who does.
It is important to locate the main water supply cut-off valve in your home. There should be a nearby water meter. Individual fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, may also have shut-off valves just for that fixture. Make sure every family member knows how to find these valves, and turn them off.
Although plumbing mostly has to do with water, you still need many other skills to become a good plumber. One of the common and important things plumbers deal with is repairing water lines.
Brass Fixtures
Think about going with brass fixtures when you want new fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen. To start, brass fixtures are more durable and lasts for a longer period of time. Brass fixtures look a lot nicer than many of the other types of plumbing fixtures that you can purchase. These fixtures are sold in most hardware and home improvement stores.
If you’re a properly trained plumber, consider hiring an apprentice. This approach provides cheap labor, and it may also help to develop a future business partner.
Being properly informed and ready for any situation makes it much easier to avoid problems with plumbing. Any homeowner who is willing to learn more about plumbing will have more favorable outcomes from maintenance and repairs; this may also make the home much safer. It’s also true that a homeowner can fix problems smoothly and quickly if he prepares for potential trouble.