Water may be needed to live, though it can be the cause of frustration for anyone that is dealing with a plumbing issue. Except for a natural disaster, there are only a few problems which can cause more extensive damage than a plumbing issue. There are a lot of things homeowners can do to prevent serious plumbing problems and reduce the effects if they do happen.
If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. Letting the water drain out will relieve pressure in the frozen pipe, which will reduce the chances of it bursting and damaging your home.
If a plunger is ineffective, you might be able to do the trick with a bucket of warm water. You could repeat this process again if the water in the toilet bowl gets low.
Water hammer problems, pipe noise due to water hitting the back of the pipe, can be easily repaired. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. Enlisting the aid of a professional may be necessary if any of the pipes are located in the floors, walls, or ceiling.
If your garbage disposal is giving you problems, never stick your hand in it to fix it yourself. Garbage disposals always pose a possible threat, even when powered off or non-working all together. Use the web to locate a diagram or users manual for your device.
Don’t put things like fat, oil or grease down your drains. These substances will harden as soon as they cool down, and clog your drains. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. Get rid of any fat or oils outside or in the garbage can.
To maintain your garbage disposal and avoid malfunction, you should regularly clean it. 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.
You need to insulate any pipes have exposure to outside elements to avoid them freezing. You should also keep the temperature in the home above freezing to avoid your pipes freezing. The pipes will be able to freeze if the temperature surrounding the pipes drops below freezing. It takes time for thawing to occur so you can have water again. However, they might burst, which will cause an enormous mess and repair bill.
Make a schedule for plumbing work, so it occurs all at approximately the same time. You might want to call every time you need a tiny issue fixed with your plumbing, but if you know the system is bad, if you just call once, you can start saving for the major repair before you call. It also saves you money because a lot of plumbers charge by the hour–they cannot charge for multiple hours every trip if they only make one trip out.
Education and prevention are often the keys when it comes to avoiding plumbing-related problems. Even just learning the basics will go a long way to prevent costly and damaging mistakes. If a problem does arise, research and preparation ahead of time will make the problem easier to fix.