Water can play multiple roles in your life. It is essential in order to keep living, but it can be a ruthless enemy when it comes to plumbing issues. Besides dealing with natural disasters, a major plumbing problem can be one of the most challenging parts of home ownership. However, there are many ways homeowners can protect themselves from these issues and create plans for minimizing these issues when they do arise.
Septic Tank
You should clean your septic tank every five years! This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
If the water in your toilet is low along with the toilet being clogged, pour some extra water in the bowl to make the plunger effective again. If the water goes down to a lower level again, then you should repeat the procedure.
If you discover a problem with the garbage disposal, don’t ever reach into it with your hands to attempt to fix it. Garbage disposals are not healthy places for hands to be, even if they are not running. Troubleshooting techniques and schematics of your garbage disposal are available on the Internet.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. Discovering this issue sooner can mean big savings for your checking account, as compared to finding out about it later.
Don’t put oil, grease or fat into your drain. They can clog your drains once they cool down. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. Make sure you dispose of oils away from the sink.
If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, that is from iron in your water supply. Water softener can help this problem, and you can buy that at a store. Alternatively, you can hire someone to handle it.
Make a schedule for plumbing work, so it occurs all at approximately the same time. Of course, our natural inclination is to handle problems as they arise, but it helps to get everything done at once. Even if you only have one noticeable problem, you can still get a plumber to inspect other areas. Doing this can also save you money, since it’s common for plumbers to charge hourly rates. It’ll condense the total amount of time they need to spend to something you can more easily afford.
Remember that your toilet is not intended to be used to dispose of trash. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials, because these things don’t dissolve and could clog up your toilet. Don’t flush massive amounts of toilet paper at once, either. Most of the time, you shouldn’t need a lot of toilet paper to clean yourself; don’t use more than necessary. If you have an emergency that requires a lot of cleaning, flush toilet paper a little bit at a time instead of all at once.
If you have clogged pipes, try cleaning them with an enzyme pipe cleaner. These cleaners have natural bacteria in them, which turn sludge into liquid form that can be easily removed from your pipes. Enzyme based cleaners are not corrosive so they won’t erode your metal pipes.
Lint Trap
Keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Always check your lint trap for damage, such as holes or tears. This could allow lint to enter your pipes, leading to clogs or other plumbing complications.
Good education and preparation are the key to avoiding plumbing woes. Just a little information can make a big difference when it comes to preventing plumbing problems. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.
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