Taking care of plumbing problems yourself has a reputation for being troublesome. But, with the right advice and know-how, it is a lot easier than you think. This article is full of plumbing tips that will help get your project completed.
If a water pipe freezes, you should turn the on tap that is nearest to the pipe to ensure the water has a place to get out when the pipe thaws out. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which could prevent a big mess in your home.
Your septic tank should be pumped out at least once every five years if you want it to stay in optimum working order. Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Septic System
Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. 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.
Orange or pink discoloration on your bathroom fixtures is a solid indication that your water contains too much iron. 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.
Learning the basics is important with plumbing problems, including how to use the common plumbing tools. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. Have a good grasp of what you’re attempting to do before you do it, so you don’t have to repair your repair.
Installing more efficient shower heads can save you tons of money on your energy bill. Most of the hot water we use is from showering. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can save hundreds each year on your bills.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. As well, use just enough toilet paper to clean yourself!
Use enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes. The natural enzymes in these cleaners dissolve the clog, turning it into liquid, freeing it from the pipes. The best cleaner available on the market are the enzyme ones.
Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. When these oils cool, they become hard and create clogs. Even with a garbage disposal, you are going to cause it to be less efficient and risk drain backups. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
The secret to low or even no repair bills from plumbing issues is prevention. Drain clogging is a very common plumbing problem. Too much hair will clog a drain. Screens and drain covers are great ways to stop hair from going down your drains. It is much easier to remove the hair from a screen than it is to get it out of a pipe.
Cold weather can cause expensive plumbing repairs if your pipes freeze. Fortunately, it is usually relatively easy to prevent your pipes from freezing. The most important step is to keep any pipes close to the outside, well insulated. When it gets cooler, drain and disconnect the hoses and shut off your outside faucet. This will keep you from paying too much to your plumber.
Drain Cleaners
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. Pause a few minutes, and then follow the mixture with boiling water. By following this tip, you should be able to clear all the soap scum, hair, and other grime out of your pipes.
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
Check professional listings to find a good plumbing contractor. You can check for valid licenses and negative reviews. Plumbers that you contract to work on your house should both have a current license and a good standing with their previous clients.
Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family knows how to cut off the water from the valve in your home. You can locate a water meter close to it. Additionally, certain fixtures in your home, including sinks and toilets, may have individual cut-off valves. Make sure the entire family is familiar with these valves, and mark the shut-off position for ease of use.
Over time, sediment buildup may lead to problems with low water pressure. Often, this problem can be addressed by thoroughly cleaning out the aerator. Remove the aerator, take it apart, and clean with a small brush dipped in vinegar. Rinse the aerator with water, put it back together and then attach it back onto the faucet. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.
Choose which drain cleaners you use with care. A number of them have strong chemical ingredients that damage pipes. Always be sure to pick a brand that has been announced that it is gentle on pipes. Certain chemicals can kill bacteria that are important in your pipes, or even be poisonous.
To get your water heater to perform better, you will have to make a determination of your household needs in relation to the size of the hot water tank. Purchasing the proper size tank can be assessed ahead of time and thus greatly improve the availability of hot water when needed.
If you want to go green try purchasing a water heater that is tankless. They don’t need to hold water in a reserve, instead they heat it as it passes through on an as-needed basis. This saves money by not heating water pointlessly.
There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. You can loosen the fitting with a hammer and a chisel. The only other thing you can do is chisel through it.
Next time you need bathroom or kitchen fixtures, brass is a great choice. Brass will almost always be longer-lasting for your needs. Also, brass fixtures give off a much nicer appearance than similar counterparts. They are also easy to locate, just about any hardware or home repair store will have them.
Write down all of your problems and questions to take care of when your plumber visits to save you valuable time and money. When you have a bunch of nagging problems, note what all of them are and then call the plumber. Your plumber will look at everything during one visit, and you will spend less as a result.
Loose Tiles
The valves that are rarely used can fuse together easily. You can use penetrating oil to maintain them and turn the valves every once in a while so that they do not stick.
Look closely for loose tiles, as this is an indication of water damage. Loose tiles are often indicative of a leak, so press down gently to ascertain whether or not they “give.” It will be much easier to correct any problems early on.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.