Pipe Dreams And Plumbing Tricks For Your Water

When considering your home’s plumbing, there is a long list of potential issues that can crop up. Some difficulties are easily overcome; however, others take some effort to deal with. Regardless of your plumbing expertise, or lack of it, you need some basic knowledge to prepare for the unexpected, and the following article will provide you with just that.

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. But, be advised that your pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature near those pipes is less than freezing. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. Frozen pipes can also burst, which can be very messy and expensive to repair.

If you discover a frozen water pipe, turn on a nearby faucet so that thawed ice has a place to go. This can relieve the pipe pressure that could cause bursting and further home damage.

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. If the cost of pumping your septic tank seems a bit steep, remember that the cost of cleanup and repair of a failed septic system will be much higher.

TIP! If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Garbage disposals always pose a possible threat, even when powered off or non-working all together.

Knowing what tools are what and the proper way to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Read the instructions, which many people overlook, and check out the internet which has many resources to help with plumbing issues. Don’t just blindly rush into a project. Plan each project so that you don’t make costly mistakes.

Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. While they are good at removing odors, they have a detrimental effect on the parts of the toilet that are rubber. This can make it not function correctly and may even break it.

If you have a clogged toilet with the water level very low, and plunging it isn’t working, it’s possible to resolve this by pouring warm water from a bucket directly into the toilet bowl from about waist level. You can repeat this procedure once the water returns to a low level.

If you want to look for floor damage around your toilet, just check the flooring for softness. Sit in a reversed position, putting one foot on each side of the toilet and shift your weight from side to side to check if the floor feels slightly unstable. It’s important to catch and address floor damage problems as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.

TIP! Put strainers in the bottoms of your drains to stop any clogging agents from escaping down the drain. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned.

If you discover a problem with the garbage disposal, don’t ever reach into it with your hands to attempt to fix it. Even when in the off position, garbage disposals are dangerous. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.

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. To get rid of this problem, you can either use a commercial product to soften the water, or have a contractor come to your home and do the work for you.

Overflow Holes

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. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. Let that sit for a while, and then run boiling hot water down it. This procedure should clear the pipes of soap scum and accumulated hair.

TIP! Remember that your toilet is not intended to be used to dispose of trash. Do not flush sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues, diapers or other materials, as these items do not dissolve and could cause clogs.

Ensure overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. Overflow holes catch the excess water from an overflowing sink. They may not sound like a matter of great importance until you actually need them. Clean overflow holes as part of your annual maintenance, and any other time you are handling general plumbing repairs.

Make sure to clean out the dryers lint trap. This will save a ton of trouble for you, it will also prevent fires. 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.

In order to keep your plumbing bills as low as possible, keep in mind prevention is key. Clogged drains are one of the more common issues when it comes to plumbing problems. Hair can clog drains. Put a drain cover or a screen that is made to protect drains over your drain so that hair cannot get in. It is easy to get the hair out of a screen; however, removing it from a pipe is a different story.

If you need to buy a pipe cleaner to unclog your pipes, it is best to find one that is enzyme based. These cleaners have natural bacteria in them, which turn sludge into liquid form that can be easily removed from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners are efficient and will not damage your pipes.

TIP! Fix issues related to low water pressure that are a result of a buildup of sediment by cleansing the aerator. Get rid of the aerator, remove it, and clean it with a brush dipped in some vinegar.

A sink with poor water pressure can often be corrected by cleaning the built-up sediment out of the aerator. Take out the aerator, pull it apart, and clean inside with a brush soaked in vinegar. Rinse off the aerator then reassemble and reattach to the faucet. Doing so will assist in increasing water pressure since obstructions in the aerator are removed in this process.

Insurance Company

Sometimes, the plumber is chosen by an insurance company without your input, but you can look them up online anyway. When your insurance company takes care of choosing a plumber for you, it is important to still look at their website, reviews and any customer comments they have. This will allow you to feel prepared when they come to your house.

If you have grout caught in your line, it’s most likely impossible for you to clean yourself. You can attempt to break up some of the grout which works to help the line go a bit smoother. This works best if your pipes are plastic rather than metal. You might have to get a professional to get rid of this issue.

TIP! Sometimes you have no choice in what plumber you have scheduled, but you can still research them online. If your insurance provider has set up the appointment, check the company website to see customer reviews and feedback.

As mentioned, there are a variety of plumbing problems, from small to large. Use the tips given in this article to reduce the stress and danger of your plumbing repairs.