Plumbing Tips That Are A Big Help When You Really Need It

TIP! 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.

You can get a headache from plumbing issues if you do not know how to fix them the right way. Not only do you have to wait for a professional to be available to help, the cost can be through the roof! Keep reading to learn how to easily fix common plumbing problems.

TIP! If you have a water pipe that freezes, have the tap closest to it turned on so the water can exit while the pipe thaws. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.

To prevent your frozen pipes from bursting, leave the nearest faucet on to give the water a way to escape. 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

TIP! Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. In some cases, you have to make a down payment prior to the first day of work.

Ensure that a septic tank is emptied approximately five yearly, and make sure it is properly maintained. Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.

TIP! Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.

Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. You may have to pay a portion of the cost before the plumber works on the job, but you should never have to pay in full until after everything has been correctly finished. This ensures that the plumber fully completes the job before getting paid.

TIP! You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles.

If you have a clogged toilet with the water level very low, and plunging it isn’t working, it’s possible to resolve this by pouring warm water from a bucket directly into the toilet bowl from about waist level. Repeat this once your water goes back to a lower level.

TIP! If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You can use water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Do not attempt to fix your garbage disposal by reaching in with your hands. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. It’s advised to obtain a diagram, possibly off of the Internet, that depicts your machine in accurate detail.

Save Money

TIP! You should always put plenty of cold water through your garbage disposal while it is running. When cold water hits the garbage disposal, it sharpens the blades.

Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. Do not call a plumber for minor issues. You can save money by waiting to have everything fixed at the same time. You can save money by only paying a single service call fee instead of ending up with multiple hours being billed from multiple visits.

TIP! If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. Enzyme-based cleaners actually digest part of the sludge, liquefying it, and cleaning your drain naturally.

Water that drains back into your dishwasher is likely due to an improper sink hook up. The hose leading from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher must lead uphill and then back downhill in order to prevent mixing of water from both devices.

TIP! Prevention is necessary when you want to keep plumbing bills down. Drain clogs can be expensive and are actually a major repair, one of the most common ones, too.

If you’ve got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. Choosing the cheapest shower head in the store can end up costing you more in the long run. This is not the case though. The cheaper models usually are low quality and will break easier than a high quality fixture.

Lint Trap

TIP! Check your toilet for leaks. You can do this by coloring the water in your tank.

Clean your dryer’s lint trap. This can prevent troubles, including fires. You also need to be sure the lint trap is free of holes or small openings that could allow lint to get to your pipes. This could result in other problems in your home to deal with.

TIP! You should always know where the main water cut-off valve is located on your property. You can locate a water meter close to it.

Prevention is the key to keeping your plumbing repair bills down. Drain clogging is a very common plumbing problem. Hair is one of the most common clog-producing materials. A drain cover or screen can be used to stop hair from going down the drain and into the pipes. You can remove hair much easier from a screen as opposed to getting it out of the inside of a pipe.

TIP! Get a hot water tank that is adapted to your needs to improve your water heater efficiency. Determining the correct tank size is a matter of estimating the water use by the people and appliances in your home.

As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!

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