Water may be needed to live, but it is sometimes a nemesis to a homeowner with plumbing problems. There are not many things more devastating to a home's structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.
To prevent pipes from freezing, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, even if the house is vacant. Your pipes can freeze if the air around it is below freezing. It could take some time for the pipes to thaw out so you can have water again. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, which would cause a huge mess and an extremely big repair bill.
If you have a water pipe that freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This helps to relieve the pressure in the pipe and may prevent bursting, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Do not pay anything until the job. You might have to give them a deposit, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly. You should make sure the plumber did his job before you pay in full.
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.
Use filters on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from getting through. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out on a regular basis.
By regularly "cleaning" the disposal with lemon rinds, cherry pits and dish soap, you can ensure that your disposal runs smoothly and smells as fresh as one that is brand new.
Overflow Holes
Ensure that your sink's overflow holes aren't clogged up. Clear the overflow holes when doing periodic checks for other problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes.These cleaners have natural bacteria in them, and then remove it from the pipes. The cleaners that have enzymes are currently rated the best available.
Do not expect to clean grout from your plumbing.You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up and make it go further down the line. This works best if your home has pipes made of metal.
Don't bother running water when the garbage disposal is used. The truth is that water could make garbage stick to the disposal, causing additional harm.
Drain Cleaners
Try not to use drain cleaners as often as you can. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals and can actually damage pipes to corrode if you overuse them. Instead, if you find your drain is blocked up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
You need to be properly educated and prepared in order to stay away from plumbing problems. Knowing the basics of maintaining good plumbing can help a homeowner to make sound decisions. Also, those who are educated on plumbing can fix issues easier.