There are a lot of things that can go wrong with plumbing. Some mishaps are easily correctable, while others are not. Regardless of the difficulty, a good amount of plumbing knowledge is needed to ensure that repairs are done correctly and efficiently.
If a water pipe freezes, you should turn the on tap that is nearest to the pipe to ensure the water has a place to get out when the pipe thaws out. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them from bursting.
Septic Tank
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. Pipes have the potential to freeze if the surrounding temperatures are below the freezing mark. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the pipes thaw. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Your septic tank should be pumped out at least once every five years if you want it to stay in optimum working order. This stop sedimentary particles from accumulating in the tank, and in the worst cases, flooding your home or making the entire system to fail. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
Know your plumbing tools and exactly how to use them before you start on any plumbing repair. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. Make sure you plan before you try any kind of repair, as it can be costly to fix a mistake.
If your toilet will not flush, and there is very little water in the basin, try to fix the issue by dumping warm water in the bowl from around your waist line. Do this every time the water level gets too low.
If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Keep a strainer over every drain in your house to prevent stray debris from clogging your pipes. Clean the kitchen sink strainer any time something collects in it. The bathtub strainer will prevent hair from clogging up your drain.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. This is very true for garbage disposal, since fat will make the blades run less quickly and efficiently. Dispose of your oils in a coffee can or other suitable container instead of your sink.
Each month, treat your drains by pouring one cup of baking soda down it, and then follow that with a cup of regular white vinegar. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. By following this tip, you should be able to clear all the soap scum, hair, and other grime out of your pipes.
Odor removers such as bleach toilets are not good for your plumbing system. They can clean the bowl and remove odors, but they also damage the soft plastic and rubber parts in and around your toilet.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem–until it is. When you do periodic checks for any other problems or repairs that are needed, take the time to clear the holes that are there to protect you from overflow.
Shower Heads
To save a significant amount of cash on your energy bill, install energy-efficient shower heads in all of your showers. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
If your toilet gets clogged, there is a low level of water in toilet, and the plunger is not working, you may fix the problem by dumping warm water from a bucket into your toilet from about waist level. Once the water is lower, do this again.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. The hose between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to have a peak in the middle so that the water can’t wash back in the wrong direction.
Enzyme-based products are often superior to other options when your drains are clogged. These cleaners turn the sludge into a liquid using natural bacteria, and then the liquid flows out of the pipes. Enzyme cleaners should be your first choice.
Be sure to regularly clean out the lint trap that is in your dryer. This can prevent a lot of problems, including a fire. Be certain that you thoroughly inspect the trap to ensure there are no tears or holes that may allow lint to travel to the pipes.
Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular trash.
Clean the aerator to fix low pressure problems in case you have sediment buildups. Remove the aerator, take it apart, and clean with a small brush dipped in vinegar. Rinse off the aerator then reassemble and reattach to the faucet. Cleaning the aerator in this manner removes obstacles clogging it, which then allows it to regulate the water pressure properly.
You may not have a choice when selecting a plumber for your residence, but you can look them up and view their credentials. Though your insurer may determine the plumbing company that will work on your house, you still have the ability to look them up, read customer reviews and prepare for their visit.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, there are many different problems that can go wrong with your plumbing, from something so small to something big. Use the tips in the article above to deal with plumbing issues with less stress and confusion.
If you get your water from a well and orange or pink stains appear in your sink or tub, then you can be sure that the culprit is iron in your water. This can be remedied by using a water softener which can be purchased at a shop, or a company can pay a visit to your home and handle the situation for you.