Learn How To Solve Plumbing Problems
Have you ever had a plumbing problem that you felt you couldn't solve on your own? Was the problem just over your head? Were you afraid of what might happen if you mess with things you don't understand? Read on to find out how to become more confident about solving problems next time your plumbing goes wrong.
If you have pipes that make hammering and squeaking noises, you have one easy repair. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
Use your garbage disposal with the cold water running so that you can preserve the blades of the disposal. Using hot water makes grease more liquid and can cause problems, including clogs. Make sure to clean blades by putting in a little dish detergent and run cold water at the same time.
You need to avoid using any kind of tablet or odor remover in your toilet if at all possible. These products can be great when it comes to getting rid of odors, but unfortunately, they can cause significant damage to the rubber portions of your toilet. This can lead to it breaking down or having other issues.
To increase the useful life of your garbage disposal, clean it out regularly. By utilizing a routine on a regular basis, using the combination of lemon rinds, cherry pits, and dish soap, you can maintain a disposal that runs great and smells like new.
By installing shower heads that are more efficient, you will be able to save a lot of money. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. You can save up to a few hundred dollars a year by simply installing shower heads that are energy efficient.
If you have pipes that are clogged, try a cleaner that is enzyme based. These cleaners use natural bacteria to turn the sludge into a liquid, and remove it from your pipes. Cleaners containing enzymes are some of the best you can buy.
Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.
Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check them for signs of wear and tear and replace any hoses more than 10 years old. You'll find that these hoses age well, but you have got to make sure they are doing the job they should.
One way to prevent water heater problems is to turn down the heat. As long as the water is still as hot as needed for showers and washing dishes, turning it down won't hurt anything, and will extend the life of the heater. Holding very hot water can corrode the inside.
In any DIY plumbing project, make sure that you always test the drains and the supply lines before you close up the walls. It is a lot easier to find and solve problems if you look for them while you are still in the process of actively doing the job.
Teach kids how to shut off the toilet's water supply. Kids are notorious for putting large wads of toilet paper and other things into the toilet, which inevitably leads to the toilet overflowing. Especially if your bathroom has carpet, show kids how to turn the water valve off if the toilet water keeps rising, to prevent the mess of an overflow.
Protect you plumbing pipes! If you live in an area which has cold winters and are leaving your home for an extended amount of time, protect your plumbing while you are gone! Shut off the main water valve! Drain the system of water by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Also, make sure that you have left some heat on in the house! Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because plumbing is a mysterious and hidden field to a lot of homeowners, they are willing to take any claim and any bill from a plumber at face value, no matter how ridiculous it is. All homeowners should work to become educated about plumbing so they have an idea what contractors do when they come. You will not lose any money this way.
As you can see, plumbing isn't such a scary thing, it just requires proper knowledge and instruction. Fixing your own plumbing can save a lot of money. Hopefully this article has given you at least a few of the ideas that you need, so that next time your plumbing has a problem, you can fix it yourself.