A properly functioning plumbing system is an integral aspect of your house. Your plumbing may need attention at an inconvenient time when money is low or no plumbers are available. The tips from this article can provide you with important information to fix your home plumbing, and maintain it.
A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Clean out the one in the kitchen whenever there’s something trapped there that shouldn’t be. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. As they cool off, they can solidify and effectively create clogs and blockages in your drains. Grease is of particular concern when there is a disposal unit installed in your drain. It can cause the unit to lose efficiency. Don’t put oils down the sink.
Water from wells can cause orange or rust colored stains in places like bathtubs and sinks. This comes from large amounts of iron present in the water. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which you can buy at a store, or have a company come out to your house and take care of it for you.
Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. You can save money by only paying a single service call fee instead of ending up with multiple hours being billed from multiple visits.
Run lots of cold water whenever you use your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal. Using hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate in the drain, which will cause clogs in your pipes.
Shower Heads
By installing shower heads that are more efficient, you will be able to save a lot of money. Most of your water bills comes from the water you use to shower. When you invest in energy-efficient shower heads, you will save around $100 a year for every shower head.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.
Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems. Don’t flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, such as diapers, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.
Clean the aerator to adjust water pressure issues which result from sediment build up. Get rid of the aerator, remove it, and clean it with a brush dipped in some vinegar. Finally, rinse off the aerator, put it back together and then reattach it to your faucet. This should help increase the water pressure, because any obstacles in the aerator will have been removed.
A good tip to use when using your garbage disposal is to leave the water turned off. It is a common misconception that running water simultaneously is a good idea, but that is not really the case. In some cases, water can actually cause garbage to become lodged in awkward places, and contribute to future problems.
Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners as often as you can. They have chemicals in them that are corrosive and can harm your pipes if they are poured down them frequently. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
Check your toilet regularly for leaks. To check, squeeze a few food coloring drops in the toilet tank. Keep your eye on the toilet bowl; if you notice colored water, you can safely assume that you are dealing with a leak.
Prepare for the cold winter months by checking that your outdoor faucets are not dripping or leaking. You will have to fix this potential problem before freezing temperatures come. Frozen water puts a lot of pressure on pipes and makes them crack, regardless of the material. One small crack is all it takes to cause serious water damage to your home.
Check with the Department of Consumer Affairs when shopping for a good plumbing contractor. This way, you can see that their licenses are valid and the status of any complaints that have been made about their work. If they don’t have a current license, you don’t want them working for you.
Everyone in your family should know exactly where your home’s main water shut off valve is and how to use it. There should be a nearby water meter. Additionally, certain fixtures in your home, including sinks and toilets, may have individual cut-off valves. You will want to make your family aware of the location of each valve, and add markings that give directions on how to shut each one off whenever an emergency arises.
Many important skills are involved in becoming a great plumber. For example, it’s very common for plumbers to repair water lines.
Consider drain cleaning products and their active ingredients carefully. Avoid those that have chemicals that are damaging to pipes. Choose a brand known for protecting pipes. Certain compounds obliterate the microorganisms that plumbing pipes need to work right, and others are even dangerous to people.
If you need to repair your home plumbing, you have a lot of options as to what to do. If you use the tips you’ve read here, you’ll be able to solve any emergency and even install your own plumbing for new fixtures without the aid of a professional!