Water is important to all life forms, but it is sometimes a nemesis to a homeowner with plumbing problems. There aren’t many things more devastating to a home’s structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.
Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it in proper working 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. 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.
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy do-it-yourself project. You will need to anchor all exposed pipes.
Frozen Pipes
Make sure the job gets done by not paying your plumber until you are satisfied, and the work is completed. You might have to give them a deposit, but do not give them the entire sum of money until you are sure they have done a good job. You will feel better paying the bill when you are completely satisfied with the job.
To avoid frozen pipes in your home, always maintain a temperature in the house above freezing and make sure all pipes exposed to outside elements are insulated properly. Your pipes can freeze if the air around them fall below 32 degrees. It may take time to thaw so you can have running water. However, frozen pipes often burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the water from the faucet nearest them to let water out when they start to thaw. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, and keeps it from bursting.
Don’t use any colored tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. While they are good at removing odors, they have a detrimental effect on the parts of the toilet that are rubber. This can make it not function correctly and may even break it.
Septic Tank
You should clean your septic tank every five years for best performance. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even if it is are switched off, a garbage disposal can be very dangerous. Locate a diagram of the garbage disposal, or some sort of troubleshooter, online.
Knowing your tools and how to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Before undertaking repairs on your own, plan ahead, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. These products may well remove odors, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. Whenever they cool, they tend to harden and make clogs inside your drains. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. You should dispose of all oils outside of the sink.
Check the floors in your bathroom for soft areas around the floors. You can save a lot if you notice these problems early.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat into your drain. This is especially damaging to garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of oils away from the sink.
It is important to clean your garbage disposal often to keep it functioning for many years. By regularly using a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and citrus rinds, you can ensure that your disposal runs smoothly and smells as fresh as one that is brand new.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. Wait a while, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. This process should open up the pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Use lots of cold water when you run your garbage disposal. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will turn into liquid, while causes pipe clogging.
Ensure overflow holes aren’t clogged up. Clear the overflow holes periodically when you are doing periodic checks for other problems and things that should be addressed.
Some people think they can get the cheapest head for your shower in the store. The issue with this is that they are not very sturdy and can break.
You can save lots on energy with efficient shower heads. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. You can save up to a few hundred dollars a year by simply installing shower heads that are energy efficient.
You need to be properly educated and prepared in order to stay away from plumbing problems. The homeowner who learns a little bit about plumbing is more likely to make wise decisions and avoid dangerous plumbing situations. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.