A properly functioning plumbing system is an integral aspect of your house. There may be times, though, when your plumbing system needs work and you can’t afford to call a professional, or you don’t have time to sit at home and wait for one. The tips from this article can provide you with important information to fix your home plumbing, and maintain it.
To prevent pipes in your house from freezing, do not let the temperature in the house dip below freezing. Also, any pipes exposed to the cold should be insulated. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. It will take a while for the pipes to thaw, leaving you without running water. The worst case would be that they burst, creating water damage and a big repair bill.
Septic Tank
Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
If your toilet will not flush, and there is very little water in the basin, try to fix the issue by dumping warm water in the bowl from around your waist line. After the water level in the toilet bowl has gone down, you can repeat the procedure until the blockage is cleared.
Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.
If you have any plumbing work that needs to be done, schedule it all to be done concurrently. This allows you to save up for necessary parts and equipment while saving money on hiring a professional. Because most plumbers charge labor by the hour on top of a flat call rate, you can significantly reduce your bill by reducing the trips they make to your home.
It is important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps the blades stay sharp and keeps the disposal running smoothly. If you use hot water, any grease that is in the disposal will turn to liquid, and sit inside of the drain, which can clog your pipes.
If you have frozen pipes that can be a very costly repair. Fortunately, you can generally prevent your pipes from freezing. Insulate your outside pipes. Secondly, when the temperature begins to drop, you want to drain and disconnect the hoses, then make sure you turn the outside faucet off. Doing this could help save lots of cash related to plumbing repair bills.
Clean the aerator to adjust water pressure issues which result from sediment build up. Take out the aerator, pull it apart, and clean inside with a brush soaked in vinegar. Rinse and reassemble the aerator, then reattach it to your faucet. This technique causes the water pressure to rise via the removing of any blockage within the aerator.
Most people run water in their sink when using their garbage disposal. A lot of people assume that running water while running the disposal will help the contents to flush through better, but really this is not helpful. In contrast, it could actually cause garbage or waste to stick to the insides of the disposal and do more damage than good.
Drain Cleaners
Don’t use drain cleaners if you can avoid it. Compounds that are ingredients in common drain cleaners are quite corrosive and can cause pipe damage if overused. 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.
You should always know where the main water cut-off valve is located on your property. There should be a nearby water meter. Fixtures, such as toilets and sinks, may also have individual shut-off valves. Everyone in your household should know where cut-off valves are located and how to turn them off in the event of an emergency.
Because plumbing is so difficult, many people are overwhelmed by the prospect of plumbing repairs, and will pay any price to plumbers. If you own your own home, you owe it to yoruself and your wallet to learn enough about plumbing basics to at least understand what a plumber is doing and why. By educating yourself, you’ll equip yourself to avoid scams or unreasonably high prices when hiring plumbers.
You need to learn the size of the hot water tank needed for your home if you want to use your water heater in the most efficient manner possible. Knowing how many appliances and people use the hot water in the house can help you become aware of the size that is best for your house.
Washing Machine
If your washing machine’s drain pipe backs up, the first step is to snake it with a regular pipe snake. Lint can build up in the washing machine and cause a clog, which will lead to overflowing.
There are a lot of amateurs in plumbing, so if you’re a pro, you might want to get an apprentice. Not only is this a good way to have cheap labor, it is also very fulfilling to pass on what you know to a younger person.
It is not necessary to call a plumber for every problem. The preceding tips have given you the ability to take care of the smaller plumbing tasks around the home. If you use these tips, you will be able to fix the vast majority of your plumbing problems without needing to call in a professional.
