Leaky pipes and backed up water systems can be a serious headache to the homeowner that is faced with dealing with these issues. Serious plumbing disasters can be extremely damaging to any home. As a homeowner, you can take some preventive steps to make sure you are not affected by serious plumbing issues.
If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.
If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. Research the project you are going to attempt online, and read the manuals that come with the tools before you use them. Prior to attempting any repairs, be certain to plan ahead in order to avoid expensive errors.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Do this by straddling the commode and rocking from side to side. You are looking for any feelings of weakness or softening of the floor itself. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
Put strainers in the bottoms of your drains to stop any clogging agents from escaping down the drain. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Bathtubs should be equipped with strainers as well, and they too will need to be cleaned regularly.
If your home runs on well water and you notice any orange or pink stains in your fixtures or tub, this is because of iron in your water. This is fixed by using water softener, which can be bought at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
To maintain your garbage disposal and avoid malfunction, you should regularly clean it. You can run lemon rinds and dish soap through your disposal to help keep it smelling fresh and operating in an efficient manner.
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. After waiting a few minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. Doing this periodically should keep your pipes free of hair and soap scum.
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. Cold water keeps the blades sharpened, giving you optimal performance whenever it is used. Hot water is not recommended because of what it does to greasy products.
Shower Heads
You can save a lot of money in your energy bills by putting in efficient shower heads. Most of the hot water we use is used while we are showering. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
If you have grout stuck in the line, it’s futile to try and clean it out yourself. You can break the grout up and make it go further down the line. This works better when you have plastic pipes as opposed to metal ones. You might have to get a professional to get rid of this issue.
Don’t use drain cleaners if you can avoid it. The chemicals found in drain cleaners are very corrosive, and can end up damaging your pipes if you use them too much. Rather than using drain cleaners, hire a plumber to fix your blockage problems.
If you have to take out the clean out plug and cannot do it, you can do it this two ways. A hammer and chisel can be used to slacken the fitting. You can also use your chisel to break the plug itself.
If you find yourself needing a plumber, don’t hire one until you have checked out his or her credentials. A plumber with bad credentials might not be experienced enough to fix your problem. Always look into a plumber’s reviews or talk to people you trust, such as family and friends.
Always check for leaks in and around your toilets. The easiest way to perform this test is by placing a few food coloring drops in your toilet’s upper tank. Look at its bowl, then if you spot any colored water within just a few seconds, there’s an issue that must be dealt with soon.
Rarely used valves can fuse together. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and rotate them every so often so they don’t stick.
The keys to avoiding plumbing problems is great preparation and education. A homeowner is likely to make good decisions and avoid plumbing disasters if he bothers to learn some things about the subject. Also, those who are educated on plumbing can fix issues easier.
