Menu Close

Advice On How To Handle A Plumbing Problem

TIP! If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This will help relieve pressure in pipes to prevent them from bursting, which may prevent bigger damage for your home.

Water is the source of life, but it can be the bane of the frustrated homeowner who has to deal with plumbing problems. There are not many ways to destroy a home's structure than a major plumbing problem unfixed.

Noisy pipes are an easy problem to fix.You must anchor any exposed pipe.

Septic Tank

TIP! Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used in your toilet. These things may help improve smells, but they can damage the rubber components of a toiler, which can cause it to function improperly or even worse, completely break down.

Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it in proper working condition. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

TIP! Place a strainer on top of every drain so that you collect all debris that has the ability to clog the drain. Whenever large particles become trapped in the strainer, remove them.

Knowing what tools and how to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Be sure to have a plan ahead of time before trying any type of repair, because it can be expensive to fix mistakes.

TIP! Cleaning your in-sink garbage disposal can extend its lifetime significantly. You can use dish soap, lemon peels, and cherry pits to get your garbage disposal clean and fresh and running well.

Don't use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.

TIP! Do special checks on your sink overflow holes to ensure they are not becoming clogged. Overflow holes are used in case the sink starts to overfill, which may not seem like a big problem--until it is.

If your toilet happens to be clogged, there is a low level of water in toilet, and your water level inside of the toilet appears low, but be sure to pour it from a height that is waist level or above so you do not flood the bathroom. Repeat this once your water returns back to a lower level.

TIP! Use lots of cold water when you run your garbage disposal. Cold water helps the blades stay sharp and keeps the disposal running smoothly.

Don't put fat, grease or fat down the drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades go slower and less freely. Make sure you dispose of all oils away from the sink.

TIP! When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Avoid the temptation to purchase an inferior quality head for your shower.

If your home uses well water and orange or pink stains become noticeable in your bathtub or in other fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.

By having a regular cleaning routine, lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.

TIP! Don't bother running your water when you use the garbage disposal. A common misconception is that if you flow water into the disposal while you're putting solid items down there, the process will be smoother, but that just isn't true.

Schedule your plumbing work at the same time. You might be tempted to call the plumber every time you need something fixed, but if you wait and hire the plumber for a single visit, you will have time to save money for the fixes. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one trip is cheaper than calling them more than once.

Don't flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, sanitary napkins, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls.

Some people think they can get the cheapest version at the store. The issue with that is they're less tough and easily break.

TIP! Before hiring a contractor for plumbing or other jobs, make sure you look into their records through the Department of Consumer Affairs. They will tell you if their licenses are all up to date or if they have received any negative feedback.

Frozen pipes can cause you so much money. The first thing you should do is make sure that all of the outside pipes are thoroughly wrapped or insulated. When it gets colder, disconnect and drain your hoses and shut off outside faucets. This can save you money on plumbing bills.

TIP! Locate the main water shut-off for your property before you start any DIY plumbing projects. The cut-off valve will generally be close to the water meter.

Do not attempt to remove grout out of a line by yourself. You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up to have it fall further which will help the line. This is more successful in plastic than metal pipes.

TIP! Many people will let plumbers shake them down for high fees, because they have no idea about plumbing themselves. If you own your own home, then you must learn what you need to know what the professional will be doing.

You will be able to check their license and if people have complained about this specific contractor. If a plumber does not have a current license and even a limited number of complaints, you won't want to hire them to do work for you.

Plumbing requires more skills than just an understanding of water.A common task for a plumber is fixing broken water lines.

TIP! An obvious sign that you have a problem with your plumbing is water seeping or dripping down your walls. If you see this happening, shut the water off right away and call a professional plumber.

Because plumbing is so difficult, they are willing to take any claim and any bill from a plumber at face value, no matter how ridiculous it is. If you own your home, then you should be sure to educate yourself enough to at least understand what a professional is doing. This helps prevent them from ripping you are not ripped off.

Choose your drain cleaners you use with care. Some contain strong chemicals that corrode your pipes. Choose a drain cleaner that claims to be easy on pipes.

TIP! There are a lot of amateur plumbers around. A professional plumber is smart to hire an apprentice.

If you see a pipe coming out of the drainage pipe when putting in your new water heater, take the time to connect that pipe. This pipe is likely for recirculating hot water, which helps your water stay warm without wasting it.

Plumbing Problems

TIP! In order to save both time and money, try to group your plumbing maintenance projects into one visit from the plumber. It is a good idea to prepare a list of all needed plumbing repairs before you call a plumber.

Knowing how plumbing works, having a good idea of how to fix things, and keeping basic plumbing materials at hand will help avoid major plumbing problems. Just a little information can make a big difference when it comes to preventing plumbing problems. It's also true that a homeowner can fix problems smoothly and quickly if he prepares for potential trouble.

Related Posts