If you need to take on your own plumbing, there are a lot of questions you may have. Continue reading to find all the knowledge you’ll need to fix your own plumbing and even install new fixtures!
If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. If these pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, you are probably best calling a profession plumber to take over the project.
Septic Tank
Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.
If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Even if it is are switched off, a garbage disposal can be very dangerous. Hire a professional, or at least find your owner’s manual to look at a diagram of the disposal. Many owner’s manuals are available online, and may even contain interactive troubleshooters.
Put strainers in the bottoms of your drains to stop any clogging agents from escaping down the drain. Clean out the one in the kitchen whenever there’s something trapped there that shouldn’t be. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.
Run cold water in your sink when you turn on the garbage disposal. The cold water keeps your blades sharp, which helps your disposal run smooth. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.
If you have unwanted water that drains in your dishwasher, it’s probably due to the kitchen sink’s hose being improperly installed. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to prevent water mixing from the two devices.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. Many times people try to save money and buy the cheapest one that they see. Usually these break easily.
A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. Fortunately, you can generally prevent your pipes from freezing. Insulate the pipes that run outside with proper material. When the temperature dips, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. Taking proper precautions can save you lots of money on plumbing bills.
Fix issues with low water pressure by cleaning sediment buildup out of your faucet’s aerator. First, you should remove and disassemble the aerator. Next, clean it with a brush that has been dipped in white vinegar. Then simply rinse and reattach the aerator. This should raise the water pressure nicely because anything that was inside of the aerator will be removed.
If you’re removing clean out plugs and you’re unsuccessful, you can use two methods to do it successfully. You can loosen the fitting around the plug using a hammer and chisel. The only other thing you can do is chisel through it.
Thoroughly check out a plumber’s skills, licensing and references before hiring them. Some plumbers do not have the experience to deal with certain problems, and may make matters worse. Always look at reviews on plumbers, or ask your family or friends if they know of one.
Always check for leaks in and around your toilets. An excellent method of checking this is by dropping a few food coloring drops in the tank of the toilet. Then, observe the bowl. If the water turns the same color as the food coloring, you know there is some sort of leak that must be fixed right away.
There’s probably a block in the connector that goes between the sewage line and main line if there is sewage backing up in your toilet. If you can’t manage this blockage, a plumber can put a snake through to clear it out.
Be aware of the location of the main water shutoff valve on your property. You should see a water meter located on it or close by. Some plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and toilets, may have individual shut-off valves. Inform all the members of your family where they can find the valve, and also show them how to shut them off if they are leaking.
Plumbing requires more skills than just routing water from point A to point B. Plumbers frequently have to repair water lines.
The tips above should have helped you understand plumbing better and make it less intimidating. Once you understand the basic principles, the rest is easy as screw, twist, and flush. All you need to do is decide to do some research, apply a dose of common sense and do the actual work to implement the work steps for your particular job.