Water can play multiple roles in your life. It is essential in order to keep living, but it can be a ruthless enemy when it comes to plumbing issues. A plumbing malfunction could literally ruin a house and cost a lot of money. Thankfully, owners of homes can take steps to avoid plumbing nightmares.
Water hammer problems, pipe noise due to water hitting the back of the pipe, can be easily repaired. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
To prevent your frozen pipes from bursting, leave the nearest faucet on to give the water a way to escape. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. You might have to give them a deposit, but do not give them the entire sum of money until you are sure they have done a good job. You want to make sure that the plumber completed everything that they said they would before they get your money.
Each month, treat your drains by pouring one cup of baking soda down it, and then follow that with a cup of regular white vinegar. Cover with a rag or plug, as a chemical reaction will occur in the pipes. After waiting a few minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. Your pipes will soon be clear of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
If you’ve got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. In a lot of instances, folks decide they can get away with purchasing the most economical model on the shelf. While it may be cheap, chances are you will have to replace it sooner, as it’s more likely to break sooner.
If your pipes are clogged, and you want to try a pipe cleaner, it is suggested that you use an enzyme based cleaner. Enzyme-based cleaners actually digest part of the sludge, liquefying it, and cleaning your drain naturally. Enzyme based cleaners are not corrosive so they won’t erode your metal pipes.
Check your toilet regularly for leaks. Put food coloring in your toilet tank to test the toilet for leaks. Now look at the bowl, if you see the water turning colors within seconds, you know there is a problem that much be addressed soon.
If sewage is backed up in your toilet, it’s most likely the result of a sever blockage of the branch line that connects the sewage line and main line. If you can’t clear the line, you’ll need professional help to run a snake and break up the clog.
Because plumbing is so difficult, many people are overwhelmed by the prospect of plumbing repairs, and will pay any price to plumbers. 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.
Don’t just throw any old hot water tank into your water heater. Match the tank size with the heater for maximum efficiency. 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.
A regular old pipe snake could be all it takes to clean out a clogged drain stack on your washing machine. The pipe may be clogged up due to lint.
When unclogging a drain in the home, try to avoid using a chemical drain opening product. They may open the drain. But, they can seriously harm your skin if they splash on you. If you plan on using chemicals, then wear adequate protection such as long sleeved shirts and gloves.
Installing a water heater with no tank is a great idea if you like to be environmentally friendly. Unlike a conventional water heater, these do not store any water, and heat up the water only as it is needed. You will save some money on your energy bill.
If you’re a properly trained plumber, consider hiring an apprentice. This has two advantages. Firstly, it gives you an assistant at a reasonable rate, and secondly, it gives you a chance to pass on your skills and put another trained person out there.
Loose Tiles
Look for water damage around loose tiles. Loose tiles might be an early indicator that there is a leak that needs to be taken care of, so press gently against the wall or floor where the tiles are to see if you feel any “give”. You can more quickly deal with a problem if you pay attention to your tiles in time.
If you see water pooling under your water heater, turn the water off using the shut-off valves. Neglecting to turn off the valve can turn a small leak into a bigger leak, and it will be harder to turn off.
Heat exposed pipes in the winter to make sure they do not freeze. You pipes may freeze in very cold weather. Even if your pipes are indoors, they may still freeze if they’re running from outdoors. To ensure your pipe do not freeze, and sometimes burst as a result, use a small heater or a heated lamp direct on areas susceptible to freezing.
Knowing how plumbing works, having a good idea of how to fix things, and keeping basic plumbing materials at hand will help avoid major plumbing problems. Even just learning the basics will go a long way to prevent costly and damaging mistakes. It goes without saying that someone who has done research and is prepared before a problem arises will be better capable of fixing things faster.