It can be hard to decide where to start when it comes to educating yourself on plumbing. These tips will help you accomplish the unthinkable and establish control over your plumbing once again!
To prevent pipes in your house from freezing, do not let the temperature in the house dip below freezing. Also, any pipes exposed to the cold should be insulated. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. Frozen pipes can also burst, which can be very messy and expensive to repair.
Never pay for a plumbing job completely until they have finished the job. A plumber might ask you for part of the money before starting the job but you should never pay more than half. It is good to know that the plumber did everything as promised before he gets his money.
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. Before undertaking repairs on your own, you should have a plan; otherwise, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Place a strainer on top of every drain so that you collect all debris that has the ability to clog the drain. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. You should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.
Garbage Disposal
Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. Running hot water down the drain while you are using the garbage disposal can cause the drain to clog from any grease that is in there liquefying.
If you notice water draining into your dishwasher, check how the kitchen sink hoses are installed. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink must go downhill, and then uphill, to prevent water mixing from the two devices.
To lower the chance that you will have issues with your toilet, do not approach it like it’s a trash can. Avoid flushing pads, cotton, towels, tissues or anything that cannot dissolve easily to avoid plugging the pipes. You will also want to use the least amount of toilet paper as required.
Enzyme Based
If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. 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. Enzyme cleaners are preferred by many to clear clogged drains.
Take preventative measures to keep your plumbing costs low. Clogs are a big problem with plumbing, and they are quite common. Built up hair can actually clog drains. Avoid this by using a drain cover or screen that keeps hair and other particles from clogging your pipes. It’s far simpler to clean the screen than to remove a hair clog in the pipes.
Cleaning an aerator can remove sediment buildup that causes low water pressure. Remove the aerator, and then take it apart so it can be cleaned with a brush that has been dipped in vinegar. After cleaning it, put the aerator back together and put it back on the faucet. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. Drain cleaners use abrasive chemicals that are not only harmful to you but also to your pipes. Sometimes, finding a professional to fix a blocked drain is the best way to solve the problem.
You can use two different methods to remove clean out plugs. Try to use a hammer and chisel to loosen it. You can also use your chisel to break the plug itself.
You now know that while plumbing may seem intimidating, it is really not that complicated. There are, however, certain basics that you must understand. All you need are some tools, patience, curiosity, and no fear of manual labor. Use these skills in tandem with the information you learned here, and you will have the job finished in no time.