Plumbing that is in good working order is a critical component of a clean, safe, and happy household. No matter how prepared you are, plumbing problems can crop up, and calling in a professional can be costly. Some basic tips here will allow you to take care of your own home’s plumbing needs.
You should clean your septic tank every five years! This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!
Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.
Knowing all your different tools and how they are used will be a great help when you work on a plumbing job. Make sure to read all of your manuals, and use things such as the library and the internet to read up on do it yourself projects. Have everything you need by way of tools and information before you attempt a repair on your own.
Check your floors for softness around toilets, so that you can ascertain if there is any floor damage. Another great way to check is to actually sit on the toilet and move in a rocking motion, going back and forth from right to left to see how much give you feel. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
Garbage Disposal
To increase the useful life of your garbage disposal, clean it out regularly. By regularly “cleaning” the disposal with lemon rinds, cherry pits and dish soap, you can make sure that your garbage disposal is running well and smelling so clean it could be new.
Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked. Periodically clear out the overflow holes when doing your other checks for things that may need repaired.
Run cold water through your garbage disposal. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes.
If you notice water draining into your dishwater, check your kitchen sink. The hose might not be installed properly. The hose that runs from your kitchen sink to your dishwasher needs to be positioned uphill, and then bend back downhill to prevent the water from each device mixing.
Using your toilet as a garbage disposal is sure to cause problems! If you flush improper items such as disposable diapers, facial tissue, cotton balls, paper toweling, tampons or sanitary napkins down the toilet, you will surely have problems with clogs. Even keep toilet paper use to the minimum necessary.
As indicated by this article, there are many ways to maintain and repair your plumbing system. Using these tips can save you a lot of money and damage to your house, and can prevent needless calls to the plumber.
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