Once you own a home, you can expect problems to arise with your plumbing sooner or later. The kitchen and bathroom are the two primary places that issues occur. Plumbing troubles are an expected part of home ownership. This article contains some information to help when that situation occurs.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Exposed pipes will have to be anchored. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
Understanding how your tools work can give you a tremendous boost when plumbing. Use as many resources as you need, such as online or the library, to find the right information to repair your plumbing issues. Plan properly prior to beginning any type of repair, because fixing a mistake can cost a lot of money.
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.
Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. You should clean out the strainer in your bathtub often.
Overflow Holes
Check overflow holes regularly to prevent blockage. Overflow holes drain water if a sink begins to overfill, so they need to be clear at all times. Make sure to clean out the overflow holes each time you do maintenance checks on your sinks.
To save a significant amount of cash on your energy bill, install energy-efficient shower heads in all of your showers. Most of the hot water we use is in the shower. 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.
If you need to buy a pipe cleaner to unclog your pipes, it is best to find one that is enzyme based. These are cleaners that work by using natural bacteria to eat away at your clog, and turn it into a liquid that is then flushed from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners are efficient and will not damage your pipes.
Be sure to regularly clean out the lint trap that is in your dryer. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Be certain that you thoroughly inspect the trap to ensure there are no tears or holes that may allow lint to travel to the pipes.
Frozen pipes can lead to a large plumbing bill. Fortunately, it is usually relatively easy to prevent your pipes from freezing. Pipes in crawlspaces or outside your home should be thoroughly insulated. Secondly, when the temperature begins to drop, you want to drain and disconnect the hoses, then make sure you turn the outside faucet off. Enacting these procedures can aid in preventing expenses for repairing your plumbing.
Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. Their chemicals are extremely corrosive, and they may damage your pipes if used too often. If you find that your drain is clogged, think about hiring a plumber to do a estimate and tell you what the issue is.
If you need to remove a clean out plug, and you are not having much luck, there are two methods used to help you do 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.
You can research a plumber online, even if you did not choose them. Even if your insurer determines your plumber, you should go to their website and read any available consumer reviews to reinforce your faith in their abilities.
If waste material comes up the wrong way into your toilet, you have something clogging the works below the street. If you are unable to fix the blockage, you will need to hire a professional to run a snake in the line to clean it.
Prepare for the cold winter months by checking that your outdoor faucets are not dripping or leaking. If leaks are detected, it is important to repair them before the temperature drops below freezing. It does not matter if your pipes are steel or plastic, when water freezes it expands and will crack the pipes. Even a small crack is capable of releasing enough water to damage or flood your home.
In order to get the most efficiency from your hot water heater, it’s important to learn what size tank your household actually needs. Knowing the number of people and appliances that use hot water in your home will let you know what size hot water tank will be the best for your home.
Washing Machine
Use a pipe snake if your washing machine drain stack overflows. Lint can transfer from a washing machine to the pipes and clog them.
If you detect water leaking into your walls, you must turn off the water supply and contact a plumber right away. This type of leak is not something to play around with, as it can cause numerous serious problems. Water that has been leaking for a long time can cause a build up of mildew, or mold which can cause health problems, and if there is a big leak, it may even cause flooding.
Lack of preparation can really cost you in the event of a plumbing problem. If you own your own home, you should know some basic plumbing skills, and have the tools ready to go. The pointers from this article should help you deal with any plumbing problems you encounter.