Simple Plumbing Tips You Have To Read

May 15, 2016 by

TIP! Don’t let your house temperature drop to below freezing and make sure to insulate anything that is exposed to the outside elements to prevent frozen pipes. The pipes will be able to freeze if the temperature surrounding the pipes drops below freezing.

Everyone has plumbing questions, every now and then. It’s useful to be able to fix minor problems on our own, and it’s great to know some general tips about plumbing maintenance. These tips and hints will give you a little enlightenment on both ends of the spectrum, thus giving you the choice to proceed as you need with your plumbing demands.

TIP! If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This will help relieve pressure in pipes to prevent them from bursting, which may prevent bigger damage for your home.

If you possess pipes that are alive with the sound of squeaking or hammering, you have an issue that is easily corrected. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. For pipes that are situated inside walls, or the floor or ceiling, you should hire a professional.

TIP! Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result.

Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. On the other hand, they can burst, which gets messy and really expensive.

TIP! Don’t pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. You might have to put money down initially before the plumber begins the job.

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. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.

Septic Tank

TIP! Schedule your plumbing work simultaneously. You might be tempted to call the plumber every time you need something fixed, but if you wait and hire the plumber for a single visit, you can save up money for repairs.

Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

TIP! Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage.

Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even when in the off position, garbage disposals are dangerous. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.

TIP! When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Many times people try to save money and buy the cheapest one that they see.

If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which you can buy at a store, or have a company come out to your house and take care of it for you.

TIP! If your pipes are clogged, and you want to try a pipe cleaner, it is suggested that you use an enzyme based cleaner. These cleaners employ helpful bacteria which process the sludge lining your pipes, and turn it to liquid.

Clean the aerator to fix low pressure problems in case you have sediment buildups. Remove the aerator, and then take it apart so it can be cleaned with a brush that has been dipped in vinegar. Rinse and reassemble the aerator, then reattach it to your faucet. Cleaning the aerator in this manner removes obstacles clogging it, which then allows it to regulate the water pressure properly.

TIP! Take preventative measures to keep your plumbing costs low. Drain clogs can be expensive and are actually a major repair, one of the most common ones, too.

There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. One way is to make the fitting looser with a hammer and chisel. The only other option is to chisel right through the clean out plug.

TIP! One costly plumbing repair is frozen pipes. This can usually be prevented.

No matter what plumber you use, you should know a little about him before he comes to the door. Even if your insurance company assigns a plumber to you, you can get online and learn his name and the quality of his work. Though your insurer may determine the plumbing company that will work on your house, you still have the ability to look them up, read customer reviews and prepare for their visit.

TIP! Don’t bother running water when you use your garbage disposal. It is a common misconception that water will aid in flushing the food down the drain.

Ensure your toilet does not have any leaks. To check, squeeze a few food coloring drops in the toilet tank. Watch your toilet bowl closely, and if you notice colored water in a manner of seconds, you definitely have a leak that will need to be fixed.

TIP! Stay away from drain cleaners! If you utilize them too often you can damage your pipes. Especially in cases where you have a drain that clogs repeatedly, getting a professional plumber in to examine the situation may be your best option.

If waste material comes up the wrong way into your toilet, you have something clogging the works below the street. If you are not able to remove the blockage, you need to contact a professional to snake the line clear.

TIP! Valves that are rarely used tend to fuse together. Maintain them with penetrating oil, and rotate them every so often so they don’t stick.

The Department of Consumer Affairs is a great place to check if you need a plumbing contractor. These departments offer current information on licensing status and open complaints cases. If a plumber does not have a current license and even a limited number of complaints, you probably don’t want them working on your home.

TIP! It is important to locate the main water supply cut-off valve in your home. You should see a water meter located on it or close by.

Plumbing can be a nightmare, because it can cause a lot of damage to a home. However, there is one key thing you need to know for the fear to be removed. In order to prevent water damage to your home, you must know the location of the water register, and how you can quickly turn it off.

Drain Cleaners

TIP! Plumbing nightmares are not uncommon, since many people believe that broken plumbing will demolish their house. Know where your main water valve is to avoid flooding in case of serious plumbing issues.

Choose your pipe cleaners with care. There are some drain cleaners on the market that may damage your pipes. Always be sure to pick a brand that has been announced that it is gentle on pipes. Some drain cleaners can kill bacteria that is essential to your plumbing system and could even put your family in danger.

TIP! If your washing machine’s drain stack overflows, use a standard snake to fix it. Sometimes lint and small items that come from the machine can start to build up inside the pipe, making it back up or clog.

If you are starting to install a water heater and see a pipe going out from the drainage area, be sure to reconnect that pipe. It is usually a recirculation pipe. This pipe is essential to keeping your water nice and warm without wasting water, which will help keep your bills down.

TIP! If you notice water dripping into the walls of your home, you should immediately turn off the water supply and contact a plumber. This may be an indication of a serious plumbing problem.

Make sure you do educate yourself ahead of time before situations arise. Some routine maintenance can stop problems from starting, to begin with. Use this advice for any future plumbing needs.

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