You can get a headache from plumbing issues if you do not know how to fix them the right way. Not only are professional plumbers costly, but they also may have you waiting for too long. Read more to see how you can fix some simple plumbing problems!
Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting. You must anchor any type of exposed pipe. You might have to call a professional to help finish the project if pipes are in floors, ceiling or walls.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Pipes will begin to freeze as soon as they reach freezing temperatures. The best case scenario is that you can heat the pipes and the water will start flowing again. Frozen pipes can also burst, which can be very messy and expensive to repair.
If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Wait to give compensation to a plumber until they are finished with their work. It is customary to put down one-third to one-half of the total cost before the work is started, but do not pay in full until it is complete. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.
Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. While they may be effective deodorizers, they can damage rubber parts in your toilet. If they become too damaged, your toilet will not operate properly.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
Place a strainer on top of every drain so that you collect all debris that has the ability to clog the drain. Your kitchen sink strainer must be cleaned whenever it catches anything. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out as needed.
Garbage Disposal
It is important to clean your garbage disposal often to keep it functioning for many years. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.
If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. It might be tempting to hire a plumber for every little problem, but if you can save it up for one big fix, then you have time to set money aside for these repairs. This will cut down on your plumbing bill because they can not charge you for extra trips.
Each month, treat your drains by pouring one cup of baking soda down it, and then follow that with a cup of regular white vinegar. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Keeping up with maintenance is the number one way to keep plumbers from having to come fix issues. One of the most common repairs involves fixing drain clogs. Hair can cause clogs, among many other things. Stop the clog by covering your drains with screens to keep hair from going into the pipes. It’s a lot easier to take hair out of a screen than to pull it from a pipe.
If there’s grout stuck inside your line, it’s most likely will be a losing cause if you try to fix it all by yourself. You might be able to break it up a little bit and then get it a little further down the line. This works better with plastic than metal pipes. Calling a plumber can be expensive but damaging your pipes will cost a lot more.
Drain Cleaners
Don’t rely on drain cleaners too much. There are some harsh, corrosive chemicals found in these drain cleaners. That’s why they work so well to knock out clogs. Over time, they will corrode your pipes. Rather, if you have a blocked drain, consider having a professional plumber come out to diagnose the cause.
If you are having trouble removing clean out plugs, there are a couple ways in which to resolve this. First, you should try a hammer and chisel to loosen the clean out plug. Another option is chiseling through the relevant clean out plug.
When it gets cold out, ensure that your faucets outside aren’t dripping or leaking. If there is any leaking or dripping, this needs to be fixed before the temperature falls below freezing. Regardless of what the pipes in your house are made out of, freezing water will cause them to crack. Even a tiny crack can leak enough water to flood your home.
If the drain stack for your washing machine overflows, try snaking it with a standard pipe snake. The pipe may be clogged up due to lint.
Drain Openers
When unclogging your drain, don’t use chemical drain openers. Many chemicals in drain openers are hazardous to your health. If they come in contact with your skin, they can burn you or cause other health problems. If you must use them, wear long sleeves and gloves.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!