Though water is one of the earth’s vital elements, it can cause major trouble for anyone battling plumbing issues in their home. Nothing except for a natural disaster will cause more harm to a home than a serious plumbing problem. Luckily, there are many things people can do to stave off plumbing disasters and make sure the damage is minimal when unexpected events do happen.
If your pipes make squeaking and hammering noises, it may be very simple to fix. If pipes are exposed, you must anchor them. Pipes that are contained within the floors, walls and ceilings may need to be attended by a professional plumber.
If you want to maintain effective functionality in your spetic tank, pumping it out twice a decade is a really good idea. 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. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Put a foot on each side of the toilet and put weight on each side, if you have any give you may have damage. Discovering this issue sooner can mean big savings for your checking account, as compared to finding out about it later.
Put the strainer on top of drains to catch any food that would go down and cause a clog. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.
Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. You can prevent annoying odors and promote smooth operation by setting up a regular cleaning routine with lemon rinds, dish soap, and even cherry pits.
Remember that your toilet is not intended to be used to dispose of trash. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials, because these things don’t dissolve and could clog up your toilet. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.
If you need to replace your shower head, make sure that you buy a new one that is high quality. Some people think it’s alright to get the cheapest head for your shower in the store. However, cheap parts don’t work as well and break down more quickly.
Enzyme Based
If you have pipes that are clogged, try a cleaner that is enzyme based. The natural enzymes in these cleaners dissolve the clog, turning it into liquid, freeing it from the pipes. Enzyme based cleaners are not corrosive so they won’t erode your metal pipes.
In order to keep your plumbing bills as low as possible, keep in mind prevention is key. One of the major repairs is clogs. Hair is a common material in drain clogs. You can stop this by using a screen or drain cover that is designed to keep hair out of your drain and pipes. It’s a lot easier to take hair out of a screen than to pull it from a pipe.
Clean the aerator to if you are dealing with low water pressure issues due to sediment buildup. Take the aerator off, disassemble it, and brush it clean with a little vinegar. Finally, rinse off the aerator, put it back together and then reattach it to your faucet. Remove the sediment from the aerator to increase water pressure.
Don’t bother running water when you use your garbage disposal. Although some say that running water will help keep the disposal running smoothly, this isn’t always the case. This could actually make the garbage more sticky and cause more issues.
Drain Cleaners
If possible, try not to use drain cleaners. Drain cleaners are composed of extremely corrosive chemicals and can actually damage pipes with frequent use. Rather than using drain cleaners, hire a plumber to fix your blockage problems.
Take advantage of the information that you can obtain from the department or division of your state government that handles consumer affairs and protection when you are thinking of hiring a plumbing contractor. These departments offer current information on licensing status and open complaints cases. If a contractor’s license has expired or isn’t in good standing, you don’t want to hire that contractor.
Plumbing problems cause actual nightmares for some folks, since they assume these situations can actually devastate their home. There is one simple thing you need to know to save your home in case of a serious plumbing emergency. Always be sure to know where your water meter is and precisely how to turn off the water in the event of an emergency.
The key to avoid plumbing problems is a combination of technical knowledge and access to the requisite materials. Just a little information can make a big difference when it comes to preventing plumbing problems. Also, that savvy homeowner who researches everything and prepares for undertaking a plumbing issue before it really begins is better able to repair the problem more quickly and easily.