Having good working plumbing is very important part of managing your home. This article lays out some effective tips for helping you maintain and fixing your own plumbing.
To prevent pipes from freezing, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Pipes will begin to freeze if they reach freezing temperatures. It could take some time for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have water again. However, they could burst, as well - making a huge plumbing bill.
Septic Tank
Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it working well. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Do not pay anything until they finish the job.You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You should know the plumber completed everything that they said they would before they get your money.
Don't use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.
Garbage Disposal
Never put your hands to try fixing your garbage disposal. Even an un-powered garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous.You can look online to find the diagram for your garbage disposal.
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris from clogging drains. The bathtub's strainers need to cleaned out as needed.
Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug up the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. Wait a while, then flush with boiling water. This should be able to clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Don't flush items like paper towels, sanitary napkins, diapers or cotton balls, paper towels and cotton balls.
Some people think they can get the cheapest head for your shower in the store. The problem with this is that is they're less tough and can break much easier.
Enzyme Based
Use enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. These types of cleaners will use natural bacteria so that the sludge will turn into liquid form, and remove it from your pipes. Enzyme based cleaners are not damage your metal pipes.
If you require the services of a plumber, be certain to do some research first. A plumber with bad credentials might not skilled in a particular task could actually aggravate the problem.Always look at reviews on plumbers, or ask friends and family if they can recommend one.
Ensure your toilet is free of any leaks. An easy way to determine this is to add a couple drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If you then see colored water in the toilet bowl shortly after, you will know that there is a problem with your toilet that needs immediate attention.
It is not necessary to call a plumber for every problem. The preceding tips have given you the ability to take care of the smaller plumbing tasks around the home. Taking care of your own plumbing needs allows you to fix problems more quickly and for a much lower price.