Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t all that difficult to handle a few plumbing tasks around the home. If you know what to do and have the right tools, you can fix anything. There is some handy advice here that will get you on the right track with your plumbing needs.
You can easily fix noisy pipes. Anchoring exposed pipes will decrease the amount of noise your plumbing system makes. 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
If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. You may need the assistance of a professional in the case that the pipes are contained within a floor or ceiling.
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. White it is somewhat expensive to pump the septic tank, it will be much more expensive should you need to clean backup, repair your septic tank or replace it altogether.
Don’t pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. You may have to pay a portion of the cost before the plumber works on the job, but you should never have to pay in full until after everything has been correctly finished. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.
Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. You might be tempted to have a plumber come out for every little thing that happens, but kicking the can on some issues until you have a list means you can save a few bucks. It can also save money since most plumbers will charge you by the hour. Coming out just once will cut down on the time it takes, making your bill smaller.
Knowing which tools to use and how you should use them is an important skill when it comes to plumbing. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.
Overflow Holes
Check overflow holes to make sure there’s no clog. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. Clear out your sink’s overflow holes every so often, while checking for any other problems or necessary repairs.
Run lots of cold water whenever you use your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal. Don’t use hot water while running the garbage disposal. Hot water converts the grease in your trash to liquid form. When the liquified grease goes down the drain, it clogs the pipes.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
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. The hose connecting the sink the the dishwasher should be at an uphill angle and then downhill to prevent the water from mixing.
Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems. A lot of commonly-flushed items such as tissues, cotton balls and swabs, paper towels, diapers, and sanitary napkins can clog up a toilet by failing to dissolve properly. Even keep toilet paper use to the minimum necessary.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.
Clean your dryer’s lint trap. This not only prevents fires, but saves money. Be sure to inspect the lint screen for any tears or holes. That could result in lint traveling down your pipes, and that may result in clogs and other issues that have to be dealt with.