Serious plumbing problems will cause serious headaches for you, not to mention the potential damage to your home. There are some tips listed below to help you start fixing your plumbing problems.
Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. Sometimes it is required to put a little money down before the job starts, but don’t ever pay the whole amount before you know the task is done correctly. Knowing the job was completed in a timely and high-quality manner is essential before paying for a plumber.
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Try to avoid putting things like fat, oils and grease down the sink drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Be sure to get rid of oil products away from your sink.
If you have any plumbing work that needs to be done, schedule it all to be done concurrently. While you may be tempted to call the plumber whenever you have a slight problem, scheduling it all at once gives you the opportunity to save money to pay for the repairs. Also, combining smaller jobs into one larger job lets the plumber finish his work faster and therefore saves you money.
Baking Soda
You can pour baking soda down a drain followed by some vinegar if you want to keep drains clear. This should be done once a month, and a cup each of baking soda and vinegar should be used. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. Pause a few minutes, and then follow the mixture with boiling water. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes.
Ensure overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
Use lots of cold water when you run your garbage disposal. The blades on the unit will remain sharper and disposal will proceed with few glitches. Hot water will liquefy grease and build up inside the drain, eventually causing clogs.
A sink hose that is installed incorrectly will lead to water flowing into the dishwasher. This hose should lead uphill first and then downhill so the water from the sink and the dishwater never mix.
When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. In a lot of instances, folks decide they can get away with purchasing the most economical model on the shelf. Usually these break easily.
Enzyme Cleaners
Enzyme-based cleaners are the best bet for unclogging stubborn clogged pipes. Enzyme cleaners contain bacteria that digest through solid sludge, making it weak enough to be flushed out. The most highly recommended pipe cleaners are enzyme cleaners.
Trying to clean grout caught in a line by yourself is fruitless. You could try to break up all the grout to send it down further. The problem will be easier to fix with plastic pipes rather than metal. This is a tough problem, however, that very often requires professional intervention.
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. They have chemicals in them that are corrosive and can harm your pipes if they are poured down them frequently. If your drain frequently blocks, then call a professional to see what the real problem is, and get it solved once and for all.
Even if you only have one choice, research your plumber before he arrives. When your insurance company takes care of choosing a plumber for you, it is important to still look at their website, reviews and any customer comments they have. This will allow you to feel prepared when they come to your house.
If you find yourself needing a plumber, don’t hire one until you have checked out his or her credentials. An inexperienced plumber will end up being costly if they can’t do the job correctly, and they cause further problems for you later. Look up reviews for plumbers, or ask people you know for a recommendation.
A sewage backup into the toilet is caused by problems often deep within the sewage line. A professional can help if you can’t clear the problem yourself. They will use a plumbing snake to get rid of the clog.
Plumbing Problems
Plumbing problems can cause a lot of concern, but they can be fixed with some patience and work. You just have to research this, and maybe ask a plumber for advice on how to repair it correctly. Help yourself out and try following the tips provided above to fix all your plumbing problems.
