Most homeowners believe that plumbing repair is tough. If you know what to do and have the right tools, you can fix anything. This article contains a number of tips on plumbing that will help you on your way to finishing your project.
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. Enlisting the aid of a professional may be necessary if any of the pipes are located in the floors, walls, or ceiling.
Get to know the tools and how they are used for the most success in plumbing. Read all the user manuals, and make use of the library and internet to learn all about projects you can do by yourself. Have everything you need by way of tools and information before you attempt a repair on your own.
Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground. As you do, see if the floor lacks sturdiness or feels otherwise soft. Picking up on any problems now will definitely work to save you money later. It’s the difference in a little maintenance and total floor replacement.
Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The blades will stay sharper, and the overall disposal process will run smoother. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will liquefy, causing it to accumulate further down the drain, which could cause clogs.
By installing shower heads that are more efficient, you will be able to save a lot of money. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch — start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won’t be an issue.
Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head. Usually these break easily.
Enzyme Based
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. Enzyme based cleaners work by using natural bacteria that turns the sludge clogged in your pipes into a liquid, allowing it to flow down the drain with ease. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. See to it that you look at the lint trap and find out if it has tears or holes in it that could cause lint to go inside your pipes. This could lead to clogs or other problems in the future.
Stay away from drain cleaners if possible. Drain cleaners use abrasive chemicals that are not only harmful to you but also to your pipes. Consider hiring a professional when you have drain problems.
If there is sewage backing up in your toilet, it is probably due to blockage in a branch between the sewage and main lines. You can run a device through this called a snake to try to clean up the clog. Or you can also purchase some specific drain cleaner and hope that works. If not, you’ll have to call in the professionals.
Temperatures are dropping, so check your outside faucets for dripping in order to prevent a freezing nightmare. If they are, it is necessary to repair them before the arrival of freezing temperatures. Whether your pipes are made of plastic, copper or steel, the water pressure caused by freezing water will make them crack. Even tiny cracks can cause a lot of flood or water damage to your home.
Figure out the size of the water tank you need, this will help you save some money on energy bills. Having an idea as to how much water is being used by each appliance and people in your home will let you decide on the best size for your hot water tank.
Water heaters often have a pipe that reaches from the drain pipe and this must be reconnected during installation of a new unit. This pipe is likely for recirculating hot water, which makes a significant difference in water-heater efficiency.
A regular old pipe snake could be all it takes to clean out a clogged drain stack on your washing machine. Sometimes lint and small items that come from the machine can start to build up inside the pipe, making it back up or clog.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.