Sudden or ongoing plumbing problems can damage your home as well as your belongings. Here are some tips on how to learn to fix problems with your plumbing.
Plumbing that constantly squeaks, pounds, and emits other noises is irritating but, fortunately, the problem is often easily fixed. You must anchor all exposed pipes. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Knowing your tools and how to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. Make sure you read all the directions and manuals, while also taking advantage of online resources and the library to help you with your projects. Make sure that, before you jump in and start taking things apart, you plan your plumbing repair first.
Water hammer problems, pipe noise due to water hitting the back of the pipe, can be easily repaired. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. Pipes that are contained within the floors, walls and ceilings may need to be attended by a professional plumber.
Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. Both of these may help to eliminate odors from your toilet, but it can also damage the rubber parts of your toilet, causing it to not function probably, or even to break down completely.
Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Garbage disposals can be very dangerous, so take caution when fixing it, even while it’s turned off. Research your disposal online to locate a detailed diagram or troubleshooting guide for your model.
Every so often, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. 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. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. It is easy for pipes to freeze whenever the mean temperature near the pipes drop below 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.
Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. Clean the kitchen sink strainer any time something collects in it. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out as needed.
Keep your garbage disposal clean and it will last longer. By regularly using a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and citrus rinds, you can ensure that your disposal runs smoothly and smells as fresh as one that is brand new.
Efficient Shower Heads
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. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. The shower uses most of the hot water. By installing energy-efficient shower heads for a few extra dollars, you can save up to $100 or more a year per shower head in your house.
Problems with plumbing may seem to hard to handle, but if you work at them and stay dedicated you will be able to fix them. With knowledge, you can deal with some plumbing problems without needing to hire a plumber. Help yourself out and try following the tips provided above to fix all your plumbing problems.