It seems that plumbing problems often occur right after you buy your home. These problems typically occur in the kitchen or bathroom. Every homeowner will have to deal with plumbing problem of some kind. This article contains some information to help when they occur.
You don’t want to end up with frozen pipes, so take preventive action, such as wrapping outside pipes with insulation, and keeping indoor temperatures above freezing at all times. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. The best case scenario is that you can heat the pipes and the water will start flowing again. But, more importantly, the pipes can burst, which will cause a huge mess and big repair bill.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy do-it-yourself project. You must anchor any exposed pipes.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your interior house temperature above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Pipes will freeze as soon as they reach freezing temperatures. It takes time in order for thawing to occur so that you can have water again. However, your pipes can explode, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
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 can relieve the pipe pressure that could cause bursting and further home damage.
Septic Tank
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years or so to keep it working well. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Having your septic pumped will keep sediments from settling to the bottom of the septic tank and causing the tank to malfunction or backup. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.
Do not pay anything until they finish the problem is fixed. You may have to put money down before they start working, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly. You want to make sure the plumber completed everything that they said they would before you pay in full.
Don’t use any colored tablets in your toilet.These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Your plumbing experience can go a lot smoother when you know your tools, as well as how to handle them properly. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. Don’t just blindly rush into a project. Plan each project so that you don’t make costly mistakes.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, you probably have iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
By regularly incorporating a routine using a combination of dish soap, lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.
If you discover a problem with the garbage disposal, don’t ever reach into it with your hands to attempt to fix it. Even an un-powered garbage disposal presents significant danger. It’s advised to obtain a diagram, possibly off of the Internet, that depicts your machine in accurate detail.
Schedule one plumber to take care of all your plumbing work at the same time. 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 will have time to save money for the fixes. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one trip is cheaper than calling them more than once.
Overflow Holes
Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. A strainer in your bathtub should be checked occasionally and cleaned whenever necessary.
Ensure that the overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. Clear the overflow holes when you are doing your periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that need to be repaired.
Being unprepared when an issue with plumbing strikes is not advisable. All homeowners should have some basic plumbing knowledge. If a plumbing problem arises in your future, the information you read in this article should help you deal with it.
Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. Prevent unsavory disposal odors through regular use of citrus peel, cherry pits and dish detergent.