Plumbing Tips You Can Try At Home

July 2, 2017 by

TIP! If you discover that a water pipe has frozen, find the tap closest to the pipe so when the thaw happens, the water has an exit point. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.

Knowing what you are doing is essential if you plan on undertaking any plumbing projects in your home. Serious plumbing disasters can be extremely damaging to any home. Luckily, homeowners have a lot of ways to avoid plumbing issues and ways to minimize the effects of those issues when they happen.

TIP! Ensure that a septic tank is emptied approximately five yearly, and make sure it is properly maintained. Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment.

If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. For pipes that are situated inside walls, or the floor or ceiling, you should hire a professional.

TIP! Position a strainer over all drains to collect any particles that would otherwise go down the drain and possibly cause a stoppage. The strainer used in the kitchen will need to be cleaned frequently.

If you have a water pipe that freezes, have the tap closest to it turned on so the water can exit while the pipe thaws. If there is too much pressure within the pipe, it may burst, causing other forms of damage in the home.

TIP! Think about what plumbing work you need, then schedule them all at once. You may be tempted to call a professional plumber if you have any minor issues, but saving your plumbing issues for one time can let you put that money back into repairs.

Keep your bathtub drain running well by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain each month. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out 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.

Lint Trap

TIP! Ensure overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. Overflow holes drain water if a sink begins to overfill, so they need to be clear at all times.

Clean your dryer’s lint trap. This not only prevents fires, but saves money. Also, check the lint trap to see if there are telltale signs that lint may be leaking into your pipes through holes and tears.

TIP! If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. The hose connecting the sink the the dishwasher should be at an uphill angle and then downhill to prevent the water from mixing.

To reduce your plumbing repair costs, use preventative maintenance measures. Clogged drains are a major problem that often requires professional help. Clogs in drains are often caused by buildups of hair. You can prevent this from occurring by using a drain cover or a screen that is meant to keep the hair out of the drain and pipes. Make sure you clean the hair from the screen regularly. This should be much easier than cleaning a drain.

TIP! If you want to try a pipe cleaner because your pipes are obstructed, it is recommended you use a cleaner that is enzyme based. A enzyme-based cleaner will remove the clog by turning it into a liquid, freeing it from the drain.

When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. Fortunately, frozen pipes are easy to prevent. If you have any pipes outside, have them properly insulated. When wintertime comes, disconnect and drain your hoses and shut off outside faucets. Be proactive about this and save on future repair bills.

TIP! Prevention is vital for avoiding costly repairs to your plumbing. Clogged drains are a major problem that often requires professional help.

When you have to take out the clean out plug, but it is not coming out, you can remove it using one of two ways. You can loosen the fitting around the plug using a hammer and chisel. If that fails, you will have to cut completely through the plug.

TIP! Having to repair pipes that freeze could be very costly. Thankfully, you can prevent your pipes from freezing.

If you find yourself needing a plumber, don’t hire one until you have checked out his or her credentials. Some plumbers don’t have the necessary skills or do not have the experience to take on certain jobs, and that could make your situation much worse. Check the reviews on any plumber you are considering, and ask friends and family for the name of a plumber that they use and trust.

If valves are seldom used they may become fused. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and turn them every so often to keep them from sticking.

TIP! You can use two different methods to remove clean out plugs. Try to use a hammer and chisel to loosen it.

Before hiring a plumber, check their credentials against the local licensing agency or municipal authority. By doing this you can see if they have any problems with their license and heck on reviews about the quality of their work. Only hire contractors with a current, active license. It is a very bad idea to get involved with any contractor that does not maintain a current license.

TIP! Investigate the history of a plumber before hiring them. Sometimes plumbers will not be very good at their job, and can even make problems worse than they are.

It is important to know where your cut-off valve is for the water on your property. You can locate a water meter close to it. Toilets, sinks and other fixtures could have their own valves that cut off. Show every family member where the valves are, and add markings showing how to turn them off in case of emergency.

TIP! There’s probably a block in the connector that goes between the sewage line and main line if there is sewage backing up in your toilet. If you can’t clear the line, you’ll need professional help to run a snake and break up the clog.

A lot of people do not know what to do about their plumbing issues so they pay a plumber big bucks! As a homeowner, you need to have some understanding of basic plumbing to prevent getting overcharged. This will make sure that you aren’t ripped off.

TIP! A lot of people dread plumbing incidents, as they believe that even a single incident could cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. If you know one thing, you can easily avoid this.

People are often hesitant to begin home plumbing jobs because they feel they could end up making the situation much worse. There is one simple thing you need to know to save your home in case of a serious plumbing emergency. To save your house from water damage, you must know how to locate and shut off the water register quickly.

TIP! You should seriously consider opting for brass plumbing fixtures if you are at a point where you need to install new fixtures. Brass fixtures are beautiful and much more durable than other fixtures currently available.

Being properly informed and ready for any situation makes it much easier to avoid problems with plumbing. Knowing the basics of maintaining good plumbing can help a homeowner to make sound decisions. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.

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