Finding issues with the plumbing after purchasing a new home is not an uncommon experience. The majority of the time, these problems will be in the kitchen or bathroom. Usually, homeowners have to handle plumbing issues at some point. Here are some helpful plumbing tips in case you find yourself in that situation, or any other situation where you will need to do some plumbing work.
If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
If you have a clogged toilet with a low water level and a plunger isn’t doing the job, it’s time to try adding a bucket of lukewarm water to the toilet from a around three feet or higher. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.
Garbage Disposal
Keep your garbage disposal clean and it will last longer. If your garbage disposal begins to emit a bad smell, run some dish detergent and citrus rinds through the cycle to make it smell fresher.
It is important to run your faucet with cold water whenever you run your garbage disposal. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.
You can save lots on energy with efficient shower heads. The majority of hot water is consumed by showers. By installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can save over a hundred bucks or more per every shower head in the home.
Frozen pipes can cost you a significant amount to repair. This problem is easily avoided. The most important step is to keep any pipes close to the outside, well insulated. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. Enacting these procedures can aid in preventing expenses for repairing your plumbing.
Drain Cleaners
Keep from using harsh drain cleaners. Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. When you have a plumbing blockage, consider calling out a professional to determine what the source of the problem is.
Be certain that your toilet does not leak. Put food coloring into your toilet water in the tank to test for leaks. Keep your eyes on the toilet bowl, and if the colored water seeps into the bowl, you know that there is an issue with your toilet that you will need to take care of soon.
If there is sewage backing up in your toilet, it is probably due to blockage in a branch between the sewage and main lines. If you are unable to fix the blockage, you will need to hire a professional to run a snake in the line to clean it.
When it gets cold out, ensure that your faucets outside aren’t dripping or leaking. If there are problems, you must make the needed fixes prior to the arrival of freezing temperatures. Whatever the material of your pipes, freezing water causes pressure that can make them crack. Even the most minute crack can cause a big enough leak to create flooding or water damage and mold in your home.
Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family knows how to cut off the water from the valve in your home. There will be a water meter on top of it. Toilets, sinks and some other fixtures can have cut off valves of their own. Add marks to the valves so everyone in your household knows what direction to turn the valves in case they need to cut them off in case the need should arise.
Plumbing Problems
The worst thing to do is being unprepared when plumbing problems arise. Every homeowner should be equipped with the most simple plumbing tools and tips. If you ever experience plumbing problems, the above advice can help you to solve them calmly and with confidence.
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