Plumbing issues may negatively affect your household items and home. Here are some ways to prevent problems, as well as steps to take when you do have a plumbing issue.
You can prevent frozen pipes within the home, by ensuring the temperature does not fall below freezing. Another important step is insulating pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures. But, be advised that your pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature near those pipes is less than freezing. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. But, they could also burst, causing a mess and a large repair bill.
Know your plumbing tools and exactly how to use them before you start on any plumbing repair. Use as many resources as you need, such as online or the library, to find the right information to repair your plumbing issues. You need to conduct research before attempting a repair, because it could be expensive to correct an error.
Make sure there is a strainer covering all drains in order to collect particles that would cause a clog if they went down the drain. Anytime there is something caught in your kitchen drain, you should clean it out. Bathtubs should be equipped with strainers as well, and they too will need to be cleaned regularly.
Try to never pour grease, fat, or any oil-based liquids into your drains. When they cool down, they get hard and that will cause clogs in your sink drains. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Dispose of your oils in a coffee can or other suitable container instead of your sink.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, this is likely a result of iron levels in the well water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.
To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Use a plug or rag to cover the drain, because there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. Your pipes will soon be clear of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Overflow Holes
Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Clean the overflow holes when you can, like when doing periodic checks for various other repairs and problems.
By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. Most households use a lot of hot water in the shower. If you spend several extra dollars putting in energy-saving shower heads, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
Kitchen Sink
If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. The hose connecting the kitchen sink and the dishwasher has to go up and then down in order for the water of both locations to not mix.
Make sure to clean out the dryers lint trap. This saves you from potential problems, including the prevention of fires. Be sure you inspect your lint trap for tears or holes that could mean lint is going into your pipes, which can cause clogs and issues.
To protect yourself when a plumbing problem arises, use the tips above. You may have to do some research and talk to a professional. Help yourself and apply the tips in this article to the plumbing problems you run into.
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