People may need water to live, but water can just seem like a hassle if it’s flooding your basement. There is not a lot besides a natural disaster that can damage a house more than a huge plumbing problem. Fortunately, homeowners can take a lot of steps to prevent plumbing nightmares and to minimize the effects when they occur.
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
Don’t give a plumber the total bill payment upfront; pay them only when they have finished the job. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly. Knowing the job was completed in a timely and high-quality manner is essential before paying for a plumber.
If you possess pipes that are alive with the sound of squeaking or hammering, you have an issue that is easily corrected. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.
You plumbing experiences will go much smoother if you know your tools, and have the knowledge of how to use each one. Study before any do it yourself project by reading any relevant manuals, going online and even making trips to your local public library. Make sure you plan before you try any kind of repair, as it can be costly to fix a mistake.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.
To prevent frozen pipes, always keep the living spaces in your house above freezing, even if you aren’t home. Any exposed pipes need to be insulated against the outdoor temperatures. Pipes will freeze if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing. It may take time to thaw so that you can have running water. At worst, they will burst and you’ll be paying to repair the damage.
If you want to make sure your garbage disposal is going to be around as long as the house it is inside of, make sure you clean it often. By having a regular cleaning routine, which includes a combination of lemon rinds, dish soap and even pits from a cherry, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.
If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. 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. Another reason it lowers costs is that plumbers bill per hour worked, and due to partial hour effects, doing all the work at once results in lower billable hours.
You can save a lot of money in your energy bills by putting in efficient shower heads. Your shower consumes a majority of the hot water usage in your home. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.
To keep your septic tank in good working order, it is advisable to have it pumped out every five years. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. 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 the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This can prevent fires and malfunctions. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, because this can cause bigger problems as it may mean that lint is escaping into your pipes.
If you have frozen pipes that can be a very costly repair. They can generally be prevented, though. Insulate your outside pipes. Once the temperature starts to drop, disconnect your hoses after you have drained them out, and make sure the outside faucet is turned off. Enacting these procedures can aid in preventing expenses for repairing your plumbing.
If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. Prior to attempting any repairs, be certain to plan ahead in order to avoid expensive errors.
If you have plumbing problems caused by grout in the water lines, it is best not to attempt to fix it yourself. You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up the line. This is much easier if your pipes are plastic, rather than metal. You may eventually have to get a professional to solve this problem.
Clean out plugs can be extremely tricky to remove; they tend to stick easily. Here are two ways you can use to deal with a stubborn plug. You can use a hammer and a chisel to attempt to make the fitting looser. You can also use your chisel to break the plug itself.
If you require the services of a plumber, be sure to check them out prior to hiring them. Some plumbers just don’t know how to handle certain tasks which could make the problem worse. Always look at plumber reviews, or ask friends and family if they can recommend one.
Avoid using any tablets that are meant to reduce odor in and around your toilet. These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.
The toilet should never be leaking, so make sure. Check for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank of each toilet. Look at its bowl, then if you spot any colored water within just a few seconds, there’s an issue that must be dealt with soon.
Having a basic knowledge and being prepared are the first steps to successful plumbing repairs. You will make better decisions if you know what can damage your plumbing system. Keep the above tips in mind to be better prepared to quickly fix any plumbing problems that do arise.
