It can be difficult to learn about plumbing, but like many other complex topics, it is something that is easy to teach, research, and learn. This article will guide you through some simple tips which can help you to perfect your technique and learn the methods you need to be successful in the future.
If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
Septic Tank
To keep your septic tank in good working order, it is advisable to have it pumped out every five years. Doing so avoids sediment build up, so that you don’t have any kind of septic system backup. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!
Ensure that if something goes wrong in your garbage disposal that you resist any and all urges you have that might make you want to put your hands inside to fix a problem. Even when they are turned off, disposals can be very dangerous. Go online and search for sketch of your disposal, or a troubleshooter.
You can check for damage to the floors around the toilets by checking for soft areas. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or “softness” in the floor beneath you. You can save money if you notice the problem as soon as possible.
If your home uses well water and orange or pink stains become noticeable in your bathtub or in other fixtures, this occurs when the water has too much iron. Using a water softener can help fix this problem. You can obtain a water softener at any home improvement store, or rent them from specialist companies.
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. The blades on the unit will remain sharper and disposal will proceed with few glitches. If you use hot water instead of cold, it will turn any fat into liquid and cause the fat to clog your pipes when it later cools and solidifies.
Lint Trap
Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This will save a ton of trouble for you, it will 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.
Over time, sediment buildup may lead to problems with low water pressure. Often, this problem can be addressed by thoroughly cleaning out the aerator. After removing the aerator, use an old toothbrush with some vinegar on it to clean the sediment off. Rinse the piece, put it back together, and put it back on the faucet. Clean the aerator, it might increase your water pressure.
Drain Cleaners
Don’t use drain cleaners if you can avoid it. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. Call a professional if you notice your drain is still clogged up.
There are two ways to remove clean out plugs. The first method you can try is using a chisel with a hammer to get the fitting loose. Your second option is to simply chisel through the plug itself.
The toilet should never be leaking, so make sure. An excellent method of checking this is by dropping a few food coloring drops in the tank of the toilet. If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, this means your toilet is leaking.
Rarely used valves can fuse together. Use penetrating oil to maintain them and run water through them once in a while.
You should always know where the main water cut-off valve is located on your property. There should be a water meter either on it or possibly close by. Water fixtures typically have a cut-off valve of their own. Make sure your entire family is aware of the location of these shut-off valves and how to use them in the event of an emergency.
When purchasing new plumbing fixtures, you might want to consider brass ones. Brass models pose the advantages of durability and longevity. Brass fixtures often look much more aesthetically pleasing than other materials. You can find these in stores, like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
Take a break and escape the sun every now and then when you have been outside working for long periods. Exposure to direct sunlight can be very dangerous, so don’t work so hard that you forget to take breaks.
As soon as you notice any water accumulating on the floor by your water heater, turn off the water valves. If you dawdle, the leak could become worse and it will be difficult to prevent major damage from occurring.
Make sure all your family members know how to turn the water off in case of an emergency. Everyone needs to learn how to cease water flow that could cause flood damage. In an emergency, it’s important to have the knowledge to turn the water off.
If you feel capable of doing some plumbing work yourself, invest in some tools. You can easily find videos on the Internet that walk you through basic plumbing repairs. The tools you buy can help you fix minor issues without the aid of a plumber.
Wasn’t quite so nasty, was it? Like other things, the plumbing world is gigantic, and there is a ton of information about it out there. With the right information, you can tackle some of the most common home plumbing problems. Hopefully, the tips above have done that for you.