Water is important to all life forms, but it can be the bane of the frustrated homeowner who has to deal with plumbing problems. There are few things that cause more damage to your home than a big plumbing problem. Luckily, homeowners have a lot of ways to avoid plumbing issues and ways to minimize the effects of those issues when they happen.
In order to prevent any pipes within your home from freezing, you should never let the home temperature get below freezing. Always insulate pipes exposed to elements. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. Even in the best case scenario, it will take hours for thawing to happen before you have running water again. The other option is the pipes may burst, which would result in significant repair costs and a mess to clean up.
If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which would reduce the damage done to your house.
Septic Tank
Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.
Do not pay anything until the problem is fixed. In some cases, you have to make a down payment prior to the first day of work. This is okay to do; however, don’t let your plumber talk you into paying the entire cost of a job before he’s finished, and never pay the whole cost before he’s even begun. Knowing that the plumber performed all services, as promised, can be good for your peace of mind and your wallet.
Do not use harsh chemicals to clean or treat your toilet. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.
If you have any plumbing work that needs to be done, schedule it all to be done concurrently. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. You’ll save a ton of money by not having to pay a professional to come out multiple times, instead only paying them to show up once to handle different problems all at once.
Keep your bathtub in good shape by using a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down its drain monthly. Plug the drain afterwards or cover it with a washcloth, as the two chemicals are going to react with each other. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. Your pipes will soon be clear of accumulated hair and soap scum.
You can avoid plumbing issues if you know what to do and have the tools at hand to work with. Knowing the basics of maintaining good plumbing can help a homeowner to make sound decisions. Keep the above tips in mind to be better prepared to quickly fix any plumbing problems that do arise.
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