Tips For Fixing Plumbing Problems On Your Own

Having issues with your plumbing can be a hassle, especially if you are not knowledgeable on the subject. You often have to wait for a plumber to make a house call, and you may end up paying a lot for a repair you could have made on your own. Keep reading for ways to make your plumbing woes disappear.

To prevent pipes from freezing, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. Pipes have the potential to freeze if the surrounding temperatures are below the freezing mark. It takes time for thawing to occur so you can have water again. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.

Avoid using any tablets that are meant to reduce odor in and around your toilet. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.

You can easily fix noisy pipes. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored. You may need to hire a professional to help with any projects involving pipes that are hidden in the floors, ceiling or walls.

TIP! Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting. Anchor exposed pipes to get rid of noises.

If your toilet will not flush, and there is very little water in the basin, try to fix the issue by dumping warm water in the bowl from around your waist line. Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water returns back to a lower level.

Use a drain strainer to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. Clean your kitchen strainer often, particularly if you can see debris accumulating. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.

Try to avoid putting things like fat, oils and grease down the sink drain. They can clog your drains once they cool down. As an owner of a garbage disposal, this is important because the blades will stop working if they have fat on them. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular trash.

Avoid septic tank problems by having your tank pumped out in five year intervals. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.

TIP! It is a advisable to have a septic tank pumped every five years to keep it in peak condition. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail.

A great way to knock out your plumbing issues in one shot is to schedule everything at once. This allows you to save up for necessary parts and equipment while saving money on hiring a professional. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.

Shower Heads

You can drastically reduce your utility bills with the installation of shower heads designed for better efficiency. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.

Understanding how your tools work can give you a tremendous boost when plumbing. Study before any do it yourself project by reading any relevant manuals, going online and even making trips to your local public library. Prior to attempting any repairs, be certain to plan ahead in order to avoid expensive errors.

TIP! You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. Read the instructions, which many people overlook, and check out the internet which has many resources to help with plumbing issues.

If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.

An enzyme based cleaner is an excellent way of unblocking clogged pipes. 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.

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage and cost you money. Fortunately, it’s usually an avoidable problem. The first thing to do is make sure that all of the outside pipes are well insulated. Before the cold season arrives, you should disconnect your hoses, drain them and store them. Outdoor faucets should be shut off, too. A bit of prevention prevents a costly plumbing bill.

It is important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. The blades will stay sharper, and the overall disposal process will run smoother. Grease will stay solid and go through your drain with cold water; you don’t want gooey grease in your pipes.

TIP! To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism.

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!