When considering your home’s plumbing, there is a long list of potential issues that can crop up. Some things might be an easy fix for you, but others can be a little more challenging. It does not matter what your circumstances are, it remains important that you know some plumbing basics so you can deal with issues as they arise.
Obnoxiously loud pipes that like to squeal and hammer are easy situations to correct. Anchor exposed pipes to get rid of noises. Get a professional to anchor any hidden pipes if you do not wish to do some work in your floors or walls by yourself.
Frozen Pipes
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. Pipes will begin to freeze as soon as they reach freezing temperatures. It will take a while for the pipes to thaw, leaving you without running water. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
When it gets very cold, your pipes may freeze. If it does, relieve the pressure in the pipe by turning on the tap so the water can be released as the pipe thaws. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
To keep your septic tank in good working order, it is advisable to have it pumped out every five years. Regular maintenance will keep sediment from backing up inside of the tank. Sediment can not only cause the sewage in the tank to back up into your house, but it can cause the tank to fail completely. The cost to have your tank pumped might be a little steep, but it sure beats the alternative of dealing with sewage in your home or on your property.
Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used in your toilet. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.
If something is wrong with the disposal in your sink, avoid the temptation to stick your hand in there to fix it. Garbage disposals can be dangerous, even when they are turned off. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.
Give all drains strainers to gather particulate matter that can clog pipes. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug the drain afterwards or cover it with a washcloth, as the two chemicals are going to react with each other. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Although this is useful for clearing away simple clogs made of hair and soap debris, it will not work for serious blockages.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Avoid flushing pads, cotton, towels, tissues or anything that cannot dissolve easily to avoid plugging the pipes. Also, you want to use the least amount of toilet paper to clean yourself.
Make sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap. This saves you from potential problems, including the prevention of fires. Be certain that you thoroughly inspect the trap to ensure there are no tears or holes that may allow lint to travel to the pipes.
Don’t turn on your sink while using your garbage disposal. It is a common misconception that running water simultaneously is a good idea, but that is not really the case. In some cases, water can actually cause garbage to become lodged in awkward places, and contribute to future problems.
Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners as often as you can. 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.
As mentioned above, there are many problems your plumbing can have. These range from minor repairs to major disasters. By applying the helpful advice of this article, hopefully you will be successful in dealing with whatever plumbing problems arise in your future.