Plumbing problems can seem catastrophic if you don’t know how to fix them. It can take a lot of time and money when it comes to hiring a professional plumber. If you know what to do, you can tackle some simple plumbing tasks. Read more to see how you can fix some simple plumbing problems!
You plumbing experiences will go much smoother if you know your tools, and have the knowledge of how to use each one. Be sure you read everything you can from the manuals, and use different things like the library and internet to learn all the projects that are do it yourself. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. Letting the water drain out will relieve pressure in the frozen pipe, which will reduce the chances of it bursting and damaging your home.
Iron will cause orange or pink stains in and on your fixtures if you have a well. This is fixed by using water softener, which can be bought at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Cover the drain up with a plug or old rag, as there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. After waiting a few minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. This process should open up the pipes by clearing out hair build-up and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Knowing all your different tools and how they are used will be a great help when you work on a plumbing job. Read every manual, and use the Internet and library to research the projects that you plan on doing. Plan properly prior to beginning any type of repair, because fixing a mistake can cost a lot of money.
Check to make sure that overflow holes are not clogged up. Sinks use overflow holes if they start to overfill, and this isn’t usually a problem, but it can be. When checking for potential problems and repairs, you should also remove obstructions from the overflow holes.
To minimize potential problems with your toilet, avoid using it as a trash receptacle. Don’t flush paper towels, diapers, cotton balls, tissues or any other materials besides toilet paper. These items don’t dissolve and can cause clogs. Use the least amount of toilet paper that you can; use just as much as necessary to properly clean yourself.
When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. These are cleaners that work by using natural bacteria to eat away at your clog, and turn it into a liquid that is then flushed from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners should be your first choice.
Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. Your kitchen sink strainer must be cleaned whenever it catches anything. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.
Clean out your dryer’s lint filter. This can prevent a lot of problems, including a fire. 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.
A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. This problem is easily avoided. Insulate the pipes that run outside with proper material. When cold weather sets in, turn off your outside faucets, disconnect all hoses and drain them. Doing this could help save lots of cash related to plumbing repair bills.
Drain Cleaners
Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. By incorporating a regular cleaning routine, your garbage disposal can stay running smoothly. One way to clean your disposal is to run dish detergent and lemon rinds through your garbage disposal. As an added benefit, this technique will also eliminate any scents from your disposal.
Try not to use drain cleaners too often, it at all. Drain cleaners are composed of extremely corrosive chemicals and can actually damage pipes with frequent use. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
If you are looking for a plumbing contractor, take some time to check with the Department of Consumer Affairs. They provide many useful services, such as the ability to file a service complaint review complaints, and confirm that they are licensed. If they don’t have a current license, you don’t want them working for you.
Good plumbers do work far beyond unclogging drains. Plumbers frequently have to repair water lines.
Clean the aerator to if you are dealing with low water pressure issues due to sediment buildup. After removing the aerator, disassemble it, and use a small brush that’s been dipped in vinegar to clean it. Rinse the piece, put it back together, and put it back on the faucet. Cleaning the aerator in this manner removes obstacles clogging it, which then allows it to regulate the water pressure properly.
As most people don’t have a clue about plumbing, they will tend to pay whatever the plumber charges, no matter how large. All homeowners should work to become educated about plumbing so they have an idea what contractors do when they come. By learning a little bit about the topic, you can rest assured that you won’t be robbed blind by a plumber.
Choose which drain cleaners you use with care. Some contain strong chemicals which could cause damage to your pipes. Read the label, and choose one that says it is safe for your plumbing. Most are quite caustic, and some can be harmful if you have a septic system.
Washing Machine
Though you may have no option as to which plumber comes, you can research them at any rate. If your insurance company has just scheduled someone for you, checking out their website and customer feedback and reviews still gives the ability to be ready for them comfortably when they arrive.
A normal pipe snake can clean out your washing machine’s drain stack if it backs up. Lint can build up in the washing machine and cause a clog, which will lead to overflowing.
Certain foods, such as chicken skin, carrots, pumpkin and banana skins can clog the drain. Make sure that you put these items in the regular trash can, rather than subjecting your garbage disposal to them.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!
When the time comes and you need the assistance of a plumber, the DCA can supply you with excellent records for review or reference. You should verify that they hold a valid licence and look over any bad feedback filed against them. They need to have a valid license, or they should not do any work in homes.