It seems that plumbing problems often occur right after a new house is purchased. The majority of the time, these problems will be in the kitchen or bathroom. Plumbing issues are something that every homeowner must anticipate. The following advice will help, when that homeowner is you.
It is a advisable to have a septic tank pumped every five years to keep it in peak condition. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. While you may find it costly to get your septic tank cleaned out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.
Wait until a job is done before you pay for it. You might have to put money down initially before the plumber begins the job. However, do not pay everything up front; instead, only pay once the job is successfully completed. It is a good thing to know the plumber did his job as he agreed to before he get’s all of his money.
If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
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. Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water returns back to a lower level.
If your garbage disposal is having problems, don’t give in to the desire to attempt a fix by reaching down into the disposal. Garbage disposals are dangerous, even when turned off. Try to find a diagram, or troubleshooting guide for your particular disposal on the Internet.
Give all drains strainers to gather particulate matter that can clog pipes. The strainer in the kitchen sink should be cleaned each time you have large particles trapped in it. Keep the bathroom drains cleaned out too.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. Bathtub drains should be cleaned regularly as well.
Keep the drain in your bathtub working well by pouring one cup baking soda into the drain quickly followed by about a cup of white vinegar. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes.
It is important to run your faucet with cold water whenever you run your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal. Hot water is not recommended because of what it does to greasy products.
Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket to keep potential problems to a minimum. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Even toilet tissue should be used conservatively. Use enough to clean yourself, of course, but if you need to use wads of tissue you should flush several times in the process instead of waiting till the end.
Enzyme-based products are often superior to other options when your drains are clogged. These cleaners use natural bacteria to turn the sludge into a liquid, and remove it from your pipes. The best options on the market now are enzyme cleaners.
Lint Trap
Make sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap. This will save a ton of trouble for you, it will also prevent fires. Always check your lint trap for damage, such as holes or tears. This could allow lint to enter your pipes, leading to clogs or other plumbing complications.
The worst thing to do is being unprepared when plumbing problems arise. Every homeowner should arm themselves with a few basic plumbing tools and repair tips. This tips shared here will allow you to handle plumbing issues more readily when they occur.
If you want to add some water pressure to the shower or any spigot in the home, make sure you clean out the aerator. To clean the aerator, you first want to disassemble the faucet and remove it. After that, remove the aerator and scrub it clean with a fine brush. You can use vinegar or some other type of cleaning solution to assist in the task. 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.