If you have plumbing issues, you have to make sure you address the issue in the most efficient way possible. Sometimes, it just takes the right advice and you can fix the problem. The tips offered in the following article offer you help in fixing your plumbing problems.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. You may need to hire a professional to help with any projects involving pipes that are hidden in the floors, ceiling or walls.
Septic Tank
You don’t want to end up with frozen pipes, so take preventive action, such as wrapping outside pipes with insulation, and keeping indoor temperatures above freezing at all times. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. If pipes do freeze, the best possible scenario would include taking time for the pipes to thaw and any frozen water to drain. On the other hand, they can burst, which gets messy and really expensive.
Avoid septic tank problems by having your tank pumped out in five year intervals. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.
Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. You may need to pay some money in the beginning, though you should not pay the full cost until you can be certain that the job was done correctly. Agree with the plumber in advance on the job and payment.
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.
Do not use harsh chemicals to clean or treat your toilet. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
If you want to look for floor damage around your toilet, just check the flooring for softness. An easy way to test for floor softness is by straddling the toilet and shifting your weight. If the floor feels soft when you do this, you have floor damage. When you have a problem like this to deal with, the earlier you detect it, the less expensive it will be to take care of.
Never pour grease or anything fatty or oily into your drain. When they cool down, they get hard and that will cause clogs in your sink drains. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the trash.
Water from wells can cause orange or rust colored stains in places like bathtubs and sinks. This comes from large amounts of iron present in the water. Water softener can help this problem, and you can buy that at a store. Alternatively, you can hire someone to handle it.
If your garbage disposal is having problems, don’t give in to the desire to attempt a fix by reaching down into the disposal. Your garbage disposal is a dangerous device, even when turned off. Try to find a diagram, or troubleshooting guide for your particular disposal on the Internet.
Baking Soda
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
If you operate the disposal on your sink, run plenty of cool water. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly. Hot water liquifies grease and causes it to buildup in the drain, causing clogs in the pipes.
Check to make sure that overflow holes are not clogged up. Overflow holes are one of those things which you forget about until you need them. Clear the overflow holes periodically when you are doing your periodic checks for other problems and things that need to be repaired.
Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. Most of your water bills comes from the water you use to 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.
To lower the chance that you will have issues with your toilet, do not approach it like it’s a trash can. Don’t put disposable sanitary objects down the toilet. The sewage system cannot deal with these items and will become clogged. Use the least amount of toilet paper that you can; use just as much as necessary to properly clean yourself.
An enzyme based cleaner is an excellent way of unblocking clogged pipes. These cleaners employ helpful bacteria which process the sludge lining your pipes, and turn it to liquid. The enzyme cleaners are the best on the market.
To minimize potential problems with your toilet, avoid using it as a trash receptacle. If you flush improper items such as disposable diapers, facial tissue, cotton balls, paper toweling, tampons or sanitary napkins down the toilet, you will surely have problems with clogs. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
If you have frozen pipes that can be a very costly repair. It can also be easily prevented. Start by insulating the outside pipes fully. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. You can avoid future plumbing repairs by doing this, and therefore, saving you a lot of money.
Prepared to fix the plumbing? These hints will help. You want to take care of plumbing issues the right way in order to protect yourself financially. Follow the advice here and take it to heart.