If you have plumbing issues, you have to make sure you address the issue in the most efficient way possible. Sometimes, all it takes to fix a plumbing problem is a bit of information, and this article has that in spades.
If you have pipes that sound as if they’re squeaking or hammering, it’s an easy fix. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. If these pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, you are probably best calling a profession plumber to take over the project.
Avoiding frozen pies is easy if you ensure no area of your house ever falls below freezing and that any pipes which are exposed to such temperatures are protected with insulation. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. If pipes do freeze, the best possible scenario would include taking time for the pipes to thaw and any frozen water to drain. However, they could burst, which would cause a huge mess and an extremely big repair bill.
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, even if there is a serious problem with it. Even while turned off, the garbage disposal is still a dangerous place for your fingers. Look for a diagram of the garbage disposal you have on the Internet.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
Don’t put oil, grease or fat into your drain. These substances will harden as soon as they cool down, and clog your drains. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular trash.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You should purchase a water softener to use, or ask a local business to make a visit to your residence and resolve the issue for you.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Cover with a rag or plug, as a chemical reaction will occur in the pipes. Pause a few minutes, and then follow the mixture with boiling water. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
Dishwashers that have too much water running into them could have a hose installed improperly. This hose must lead uphill and downhill to prevent mixing water between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher.
The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This can prevent troubles, including fires. Regularly check your lint trap for rips or holes which could let lint escape into your pipes and cause clogging.
One costly plumbing repair is frozen pipes. This, however, is typically preventable. Pipes in crawlspaces or outside your home should be thoroughly insulated. Before winter, drain your hoses and disconnect your outdoor faucets. A bit of prevention prevents a costly plumbing bill.
If grout has gotten stuck in the line, trying to clean it out yourself is probably not the best idea. You can try breaking it up to have it fall further which will help the flow get better. This works best with plastic pipes as opposed to metal. However, this will most likely require a professional to do the job.
If you need to hire a plumber, make sure you check them out before you give them the job. Some plumbers are not experienced enough or skilled enough to handle some jobs, and they can worsen your problem. Look at reviews about plumbers or ask friends and family if they know of one.
Many homeowners aren’t educated enough about plumbing. As a result, they pay far more than is reasonable for plumbing services. All homeowners should work to become educated about plumbing so they have an idea what contractors do when they come. This is wise to keep you from being overcharged, or having unnecessary repairs done.
If you’re ready to battle your plumbing issues, begin by using these tips. Get the best professionals and take care of what you can so that you can save some money. Give the preceding tips a fair hearing and see if they don’t make your plumbing issues easier to deal with.
