Plumbing Guide

The topic of plumbing can be very stressful for a homeowner who isn’t familiar with plumbing repairs. Not only do you have to wait for a professional to be available to help, the cost can be through the roof! Read more to see how you can fix some simple plumbing problems!

Septic Tank

Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. While you may find it costly to get your septic tank cleaned out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.

You can prevent frozen pipes within the home, by ensuring the temperature does not fall below freezing. Another important step is insulating pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures. The pipes will be able to freeze if the temperature surrounding the pipes drops below freezing. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the pipes thaw. The other option is the pipes may burst, which would result in significant repair costs and a mess to clean up.

You need to avoid using any kind of tablet or odor remover in your toilet if at all possible. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.

You can greatly extend the life of your garbage disposal by regularly cleaning it. By incorporating a regular cleaning routine, your garbage disposal can stay running smoothly. One way to clean your disposal is to run dish detergent and lemon rinds through your garbage disposal. As an added benefit, this technique will also eliminate any scents from your disposal.

Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.

If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which would reduce the damage done to your house.

Putting a cup of any kind of baking soda followed with a cup of white vinegar each month will keep your drain running smoothly. The combination will cause a chemical reaction, so just place a cloth or other object over the drain after pouring. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. Doing this will help rid your pipes of disgusting soap scum and blockages.

One easy way to save on energy and water is to install efficiency-oriented shower heads. Hot water usage is mostly in the shower. By installing an energy-efficient shower head that might cost a few dollars, you could save at least $100 a year per person who showers in your house.

If you are seeing water at the bottom of the dishwasher, most likely this is due to a faulty setup of the hose that leads from the kitchen sink. You must have the hose going uphill and then down to get rid of the water in the dishwater.

If you know what tools you should use, it can help you deal with your plumbing problems in the right way. Read each and every manual, and utilize the information that can be found in libraries and the Internet about do-it-yourself projects. Be sure to have a plan ahead of time before trying any type of repair, it could very expensive to fix the mistake.

If you wish to use a pipe cleaner to clear out your clogged pipes, look for one that is enzyme-based. Enzyme based cleaners use “good” bacteria to transform the clog into a liquid, which will remove it from pipes. The cleaners which use enzymes are currently rated the best available.

Garbage Disposal

Don’t bother running water when you use your garbage disposal. Water does nothing to make the garbage disposal work more efficiently, even though many people seem to think that it makes the process smoother. The opposite is actually true. The running water can cause the disposal to clog, causing a plumbing problem.

If a plunger is ineffective, you might be able to do the trick with a bucket of warm water. After the water level in the toilet bowl has gone down, you can repeat the procedure until the blockage is cleared.

Don’t rely on drain cleaners too much. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. When you have a plumbing blockage, consider calling out a professional to determine what the source of the problem is.

If you have to take out a clean-out plug but you aren’t having any success, two ways can assist you in doing 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.

If valves are seldom used they may become fused. Clean them using penetrating oil by turning them regularly to prevent them from sticking.

Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Your garbage disposal is a dangerous device, even when turned off. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.

It is important to know where your cut-off valve is for the water on your property. You should be able to find the water meter close by or directly on it. Toilets, sinks and other fixtures should also have cut-off valves. Show every family member where the valves are, and add markings showing how to turn them off in case of emergency.

There are other skills plumbers need aside from being able to work with water. A plumber must be familiar with all the water lines in a house so that repairs can be quick and effective when they are necessary.

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!

Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. Every time you have large particles in the strainer of the kitchen sink, it should be cleaned thoroughly. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.