Plumbing problems can cause quite an uproar for a homeowner that is not familiar with fixing these types of issues. Professional plumbers, on occasion, are expensive and can be a waste if they’re solving a simple problem. Read the following article to learn how simple it can be to fix plumbing issues.
You should clean your septic tank every five years! This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. The cost to have your tank pumped might be a little steep, but it sure beats the alternative of dealing with sewage in your home or on your property.
If you notice orange or pink stains in your bathroom fixtures, this is because of the iron in your water. You should purchase a water softener to use, or ask a local business to make a visit to your residence and resolve the issue for you.
If you don’t want plumbing in your home frozen, then don’t let the inside temperature go under the freezing mark, and make sure any pipes that have no protection from the elements are thoroughly insulated. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. If you are lucky, you will only experience a minor inconvenience until the pipes thaw. On the other hand, they can burst, which gets messy and really expensive.
If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. The water will not drain into the dishwasher from the sink if it is configured in an uphill and downhill position.
Do not use your toilet to get rid of garbage. Nothing should be flushed down the toilet except human waste and toilet tissue. Flushing sanitary napkins, diapers, disposable napkins, and other materials is a sure recipe for a clogged drain and a backed-up toilet. Also, you want to use the least amount of toilet paper to clean yourself.
Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. The problem with doing that is the cheaper shower heads are not known to be sturdy, and they tend to break easier.
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.
An expensive plumbing issue to pay for repairs is when your pipes freeze. Fortunately, it is usually relatively easy to prevent your pipes from freezing. Make sure that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. When cold weather sets in, turn off your outside faucets, disconnect all hoses and drain them. You can avoid future plumbing repairs by doing this, and therefore, saving you a lot of money.
If grout is stick within the line, it is likely useless to try cleaning it on your own. You could dislodge the grout and cause it go further down. This works best if your pipes are plastic instead of metal. This usually requires professional people to come in to help you get rid of this problem.
Drain Cleaners
Never pay a plumber until the job is complete. Sometimes it is required to put a little money down before the job starts, but don’t ever pay the whole amount before you know the task is done correctly. You want to know the plumber has fulfilled all his requirements as promised in the agreement before he gets paid.
Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. There are some harsh, corrosive chemicals found in these drain cleaners. That’s why they work so well to knock out clogs. Over time, they will corrode your pipes. If your drain is clogged, hire a pro to figure out the problem.
Check your toilet for any leaks. Put food coloring in your toilet tank to test the toilet for leaks. If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, this means your toilet is leaking.
Many people fear plumbing since it may destroy their homes. However, there is one key thing you need to know for the fear to be removed. To save your house from water damage, you must know how to locate and shut off the water register quickly.
Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. Anytime there is something caught in your kitchen drain, you should clean it out. You should clean out the strainer in your bathtub often.
If you detect water leaking into your walls, you must turn off the water supply and contact a plumber right away. This could mean that you have some serious plumbing issues. This sort of problem could cause a flood, a mold problem or a mildew infestation.
For the conservation-minded consumer, it might be wise to purchase a tankless water heater. They don’t store water, and heat water only on an as needed basis. This will save money as only water that is needed is being heated, not additional reserves that sit unused in a tank.
A lot of people try to be plumbers without formal training, so if your profession is in plumbing, consider hiring an apprentice. This is a great way to hire inexpensive labor, and can help you mentor those younger than you.
Don’t pour cooking grease, leftover frying fat or any oils down your sink drain. They might be in liquid form, but after they cool off, they will solidify and make a clog in your drain pipe. This is most true if you use a garbage disposal, as the fat causes the blades to function slower and they will become less efficient. See to it that you dispose the oils away from your sink.
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!