Many homeowners experience plumbing issues at one point or another. The most common places these problems pop up is in the kitchen or in the bathroom. In reality, every homeowner will experience plumbing problems at some point. Here are some helpful plumbing tips in case you find yourself in that situation, or any other situation where you will need to do some plumbing work.
If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.
Your septic tank should be pumped out at least once every five years if you want it to stay in optimum working order. Having it cleaned out prevents the sediment from accumulating in the septic tank and creating a sewage backup in your house or triggering the meltdown of the entire septic system. If the cost of pumping your septic tank seems a bit steep, remember that the cost of cleanup and repair of a failed septic system will be much higher.
If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Garbage disposals are not healthy places for hands to be, even if they are not running. Hire a professional, or at least find your owner’s manual to look at a diagram of the disposal. Many owner’s manuals are available online, and may even contain interactive troubleshooters.
Check for softness in your floor to determine flood damage. An easy way to test for floor softness is by straddling the toilet and shifting your weight. If the floor feels soft when you do this, you have floor damage. Discovering this issue sooner can mean big savings for your checking account, as compared to finding out about it later.
You plumbing experiences will go much smoother if you know your tools, and have the knowledge of how to use each one. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Don’t just blindly rush into a project. Plan each project so that you don’t make costly mistakes.
Cleaned Frequently
A strainer should be placed over all the drains in order to gather particles that would just get in the drain and potentially cause stoppage. The strainer used in the kitchen will need to be cleaned frequently. The ones in your bathtub should also be cleaned frequently, as needed.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, this is likely a result of iron levels in the well water. A water softener is the easiest way to solve hard water problems relating to rust, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.
If you encounter a problem with your garbage disposal, resist the urge to reach in and fix it with your bare hands. Even when the garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous. Locate your garbage disposal manual, or do an Internet search for troubleshooting advice and a diagram that illustrates your model.
Being unprepared for a plumbing problem can really make an already bad situation worse. If you own your own home, you should know some basic plumbing skills, and have the tools ready to go. Should plumbing issues arise, you can use the advice in this article to help you.