If you are a homeowner and you have water issues, it can be a very daunting task. A plumbing problem is one of the worst things that can happen to a home. Thankfully, it doesn’t take expert knowledge to repair a problem and keep your plumbing system well maintained so that future issues are prevented.
If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Odor removers such as bleach toilets are not good for your plumbing system. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. If they do freeze, you are looking at some time before they can thaw out, thus you will have to wait for running water. The worst case scenario is a busted pipe and a costly repair.
If the water in your toilet is low along with the toilet being clogged, pour some extra water in the bowl to make the plunger effective again. Repeat this as many times as necessary until your clog is gone, and you can flush normally once again.
If you encounter a problem with your garbage disposal, resist the urge to reach in and fix it with your bare hands. Garbage disposals can be dangerous, even when they are turned off. Use the web to locate a diagram or users manual for your device.
You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. The ones in your bathtub should also be cleaned frequently, as needed.
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets in your toilet. These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.
Don’t pour cooking grease, leftover frying fat or any oils down your sink drain. When they cool, they will harden and create clogs in your drains. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular trash.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. By utilizing a routine on a regular basis, using the combination of lemon rinds, cherry pits, and dish soap, you can maintain a disposal that runs great and smells like new.
Schedule your plumbing jobs all together. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but saving your plumbing issues for one time can let you put that money back into repairs. Also, combining smaller jobs into one larger job lets the plumber finish his work faster and therefore saves you money.
Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. If a problem is minor, it can be wise to put off repair until you have more than one item to fix. This also gives you time to save up for the needed repairs. Also, combining smaller jobs into one larger job lets the plumber finish his work faster and therefore saves you money.
Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps the blades stay sharp and keeps the disposal running smoothly. When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Don’t flush items like paper towels, sanitary napkins, diapers or cotton balls, because these items don’t break down and may cause clogging issues. As well, use just enough toilet paper to clean yourself!
If you’ve got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. People will buy the cheapest option thinking it will do the job they need it to do. The disadvantage to doing so is that these models are not highly durable and easily break.
Clean your dryer’s lint trap. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Search the lint trap to see if there are any tears or holes, this helps to prevent lint from getting into the pipes, which can cause clogs and many other problems.
The key to avoid plumbing problems is a combination of technical knowledge and access to the requisite materials. Any homeowner who is willing to learn more about plumbing will have more favorable outcomes from maintenance and repairs; this may also make the home much safer. If a problem does arise, research and preparation ahead of time will make the problem easier to fix.