Being able to take care of basic plumbing around the house is a useful skill. Do you want to learn tips to help you deal with your problems yourself? If you have decided to learn more about how to better maintain your home’s plumbing, read on for some ideas. This article contains tips and advice to help you better understand the confusing world of plumbing.
Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This keeps the sediment from building in the tank, which can cause septic tank failure or backup into your house. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.
Knowing all your different tools and how they are used will be a great help when you work on a plumbing job. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. You may need to hire a professional to help with any projects involving pipes that are hidden in the floors, ceiling or walls.
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.
Keep a strainer over every drain in your house to prevent stray debris from clogging your pipes. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. Those in the bathtub should be cleaned out periodically, as needed.
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. This is fixed by using water softener, which can be bought at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
Ensure that if something goes wrong in your garbage disposal that you resist any and all urges you have that might make you want to put your hands inside to fix a problem. Your garbage disposal is a dangerous device, even when turned off. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.
Overflow Holes
Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. You may not even notice the overflow holes on your sink, but if you have a major water leak you will soon regret your apathy. Make cleaning debris from the overflow holes part of your regular routine of maintaining your plumbing and checking it for problems and required repairs.
Use enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes. Enzyme based cleaners work by using natural bacteria that turns the sludge clogged in your pipes into a liquid, allowing it to flow down the drain with ease. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
Maintain smooth functioning of the drain in your bathtub by dropping baking soda and then vinegar down it on a monthly basis. Cover the drain up with a plug or old rag, as there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. Wait for a little while, and then pour boiling water down the drain. Doing this periodically should keep your pipes free of hair and soap scum.
Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This can prevent troubles, including 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.
There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. The first way is to get a chisel and a hammer and try to jostle the fitting loose. The only other method is to take the chisel and use it right through the plug.
You may not have a choice when selecting a plumber for your residence, but you can look them up and view their credentials. You’ll be more comfortable with the plumber if you read about other customers’ experiences with him.
Clean the lint trap in your dryer. By doing this simple task, you can circumvent a great deal of trouble. including prevention of fires. 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.
If your washing machine’s drain stack overflows, use a standard snake to fix it. Lint, coins, paper and other small items can get expelled in the wash, leading to a drain clog.
If you notice water dripping or signs of water staining on your walls, you should immediately turn off your water supply and notify a plumber. This indicates a serious plumbing problem. Having leaks such as this could possibly lead to harmful instances of mold or mildew or possibly even flooding.
Tankless water heaters can be great and eco-friendly investments. Whereas a conventional water heater stores hot water, a tankless water heater will heat the water only as needed. A number of dollars are saved off of power bills because unused water is not heated just to sit around.
If your home has low water pressure, you can often fix the problem by cleaning out the aerators on your fixtures. First, you need to remove the aerator, and then take it apart and clean it using a small brush that has been dipped in vinegar. Finally, rinse off the aerator, put it back together and then reattach it to your faucet. This should remove any obstructions that were in the aerator, thereby improving your water pressure.
Brass Fixtures
Think about going with brass fixtures when you want new fixtures in the bathroom or kitchen. Brass tends to be much more durable than other materials in plumbing, so you will not need to replace the fixtures as frequently. Brass fixtures often look much more aesthetically pleasing than other materials. You will be able to find these in any type of home repair store.
Now that you’ve checked out this article, you are probably chomping at the bit to either fix an existing plumbing problem or improve your plumbing system. It is hoped that the results you receive are exactly what you wanted. If they don’t, consider other options until you’re satisfied with the results.
Steer clear of drain cleaners whenever possible. The chemicals in those kinds of drain cleaners can be corrosive and might damage pipes if you keep using them. Sometimes, finding a professional to fix a blocked drain is the best way to solve the problem.