Save A Lot Of Money With This Plumbing Advice

Plumbing problems can cause quite an uproar for a homeowner that is not familiar with fixing these types of issues. It can take a lot of time and money when it comes to hiring a professional plumber. If you know what to do, you can tackle some simple plumbing tasks. Read the tips below to learn how to handle plumbing problems easily!

If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws. As such, bursting can be halted, saving you from even more costly damages.

Septic Tank

If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them from bursting.

TIP! Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Doing so avoids sediment build up, so that you don’t have any kind of septic system backup.

Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it in proper working condition. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.

Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. You can check for softness or weakness in the floor by placing one foot on each side of the toilet and rocking back and forth. When you have a problem like this to deal with, the earlier you detect it, the less expensive it will be to take care of.

Keep a strainer over every drain in your house to prevent stray debris from clogging your pipes. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.

Know your plumbing tools and exactly how to use them before you start on any plumbing repair. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Be sure to have a plan ahead of time before trying any type of repair, it could very expensive to fix the mistake.

TIP! Avoid using any tablets that are meant to reduce odor in and around your toilet. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.

If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. Of course, our natural inclination is to handle problems as they arise, but it helps to get everything done at once. Even if you only have one noticeable problem, you can still get a plumber to inspect other areas. Doing this can also save you money, since it’s common for plumbers to charge hourly rates. It’ll condense the total amount of time they need to spend to something you can more easily afford.

Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. This procedure should clear the pipes of soap scum and accumulated hair.

You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Overflows holes can be used in the event the sink overfills, which is a big problem if they are clogged. Make sure to clean out the overflow holes each time you do maintenance checks on your sinks.

If your toilet happens to be clogged, and the plunger is not working, you can pour a bucket of hot water down the toilet, but be sure to pour it from a height that is waist level or above so you do not flood the bathroom. Once the water is lower, do this again.

TIP! Check the floor for soft areas around the toilet to determine floor damage. Sit on your toilet and sway across both feet to feel if there are any spots less firm than the others.

Shower Heads

Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. By installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can save over a hundred bucks or more per every shower head in the home.

If water that is not supposed to be there is in the dishwasher, the likely culprit is a kitchen sink hose not properly attached. The water will not drain into the dishwasher from the sink if it is configured in an uphill and downhill position.

Use cold water when using your garbage disposal. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will liquefy, causing it to accumulate further down the drain, which could cause clogs.

TIP! Don’t use your toilet like a trash can, and you minimize potential problems. Nothing should be flushed down the toilet except human waste and toilet tissue.

Don’t turn on your sink while using your garbage disposal. It seems like water would help make the disposal function more smoothly, and many people simply assume that this is so, but it is not really the case. Running water can help clear debris and keep the disposal’s temperature down, but it can also cause sticky materials to clog the disposal.

Don’t use drain cleaners if you can avoid it. Their chemicals are extremely corrosive, and they may damage your pipes if used too often. When you have a plumbing blockage, consider calling out a professional to determine what the source of the problem is.

If your toilet has sewage back-up, then there is a block somewhere along the branch line that connects the sewage and main lines. If you are unable to address this blockage on your own, you may require the services of a professional. The blockage will be cleared by running a snake throughout the line.

When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. These types of cleaners will use natural bacteria so that the sludge will turn into liquid form, and be removed from your pipes. The best these days are the enzyme cleaners.

TIP! Clean the lint trap in your dryer. This will save you trouble, such as preventing fires.

Valves that get rarely used occasionally fuse together. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and turn them every so often to keep them from sticking.

Assess the actual hot water needs for your family and use this information to increase the functioning of water heaters. Determining the correct tank size is a matter of estimating the water use by the people and appliances in your home.

When unclogging your drain, don’t use chemical drain openers. The chemicals can be damaging to your skin, but will open your drain. If you plan on using chemicals, then wear adequate protection such as long sleeved shirts and gloves.

A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. This problem is easily avoided. If you have any pipes outside, have them properly insulated. Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. Enacting these procedures can aid in preventing expenses for repairing your plumbing.

TIP! When you have to take out the clean out plug, but it is not coming out, you can remove it using one of two ways. Try to use a hammer and chisel to loosen it.

As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!