People may need water to live, but water can just seem like a hassle if it’s flooding your basement. There aren’t many ways to destroy a house faster than to leave a major plumbing problem unfixed. Thankfully, owners of homes can take steps to avoid plumbing nightmares.
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. It is a small price to pay now to keep your septic in good working order and prevent having to pay for a major repair caused by a backup.
Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. You may want to have each minor problem attended to as the occur, but having multiple repairs done at once allows you to save up for the cost. This will cut down on your plumbing bill because they can not charge you for extra trips.
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. Pipes have the potential to freeze if the surrounding temperatures are below the freezing mark. It will take a while for the pipes to thaw, leaving you without running water. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.
Overflow Holes
Ensure overflow holes have not been clogged. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Make cleaning debris from the overflow holes part of your regular routine of maintaining your plumbing and checking it for problems and required repairs.
You should always put plenty of cold water through your garbage disposal while it is running. Cold water keeps blades sharp and allows for smoother disposal. If you use hot water instead of cold, it will turn any fat into liquid and cause the fat to clog your pipes when it later cools and solidifies.
Try to avoid putting things like fat, oils and grease down the sink drain. These materials may be liquid when you pour them in, but they will solidify and cause problems. A garbage disposal can even become clogged by hardened grease and it will not run at optimum speed and efficiency. Don’t put oils down the sink.
Putting in shower heads that are energy-efficient can save you a lot of money in energy costs. Most of our hot water is used in the shower. Water-conserving shower heads are relatively affordable, but using them can save you a great deal of money within a single year.
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 going from the dishwasher to the sink needs to angle uphill before going back downhill to prevent water from both being mixed.
Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems. Don’t flush paper towels, diapers, cotton balls, tissues or any other materials besides toilet paper. These items don’t dissolve and can cause clogs. Also, use as little toilet paper as possible to clean yourself properly.
Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. Hot water can clog your drain by allowing liquid grease to build up in it.
Shower Heads
If you have to replace any of your shower heads, make sure that the replacement is the best one you can afford. Avoid the temptation to purchase an inferior quality head for your shower. Inexpensive shower heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.
Prevention is the key to keeping your plumbing repair bills down. Drain clogging is a very common plumbing problem. Drains easily get clogged by hair. Use a drain cover to keep hair and other elements from going down your pipes. It is much easier to remove the hair from a screen than it is to get it out of a pipe.
If you have clogged pipes, try cleaning them with an enzyme pipe cleaner. This type of cleaner uses natural bacteria to transform sludge into liquid, that makes it disappear from the pipes. Enzyme cleaners are preferred by many to clear clogged drains.
The keys to avoiding plumbing problems is great preparation and education. Homeowners who become knowledgeable about plumbing are better able to avoid plumbing disasters. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.