Leaky pipes and backed up water systems can be a serious headache to the homeowner that is faced with dealing with these issues. There aren’t many ways to destroy a house faster than to leave a major plumbing problem unfixed. Luckily, people who own homes can do many things to prevent major plumbing problems and to control the damage that does happen.
Obnoxiously loud pipes that like to squeal and hammer are easy situations to correct. Exposed pipes need to be properly anchored. For pipes that are situated inside walls, or the floor or ceiling, you should hire a professional.
If you have noisy pipes that sound like hammering or squeaking, this is something that is easy to fix. You must anchor all exposed pipes. For pipes that are situated inside walls, or the floor or ceiling, you should hire a professional.
Frozen Pipes
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. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. If they do freeze, you are looking at some time before they can thaw out, thus you will have to wait for running water. However, frozen pipes often burst, causing damage to your home and a hefty repair bill.
If one of your water pipes freezes, turn on the tap to the faucet nearest the pipe so that the water has somewhere to exit as the pipe thaws. This can relieve the pipe pressure that could cause bursting and further home damage.
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for best performance. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. While you may find it costly to get your septic tank cleaned out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.
Avoid putting grease, fat, and other oils down your drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. Your garbage disposal is particularly vulnerable to this issue, as the fat solids will slow the motion of the blades. This results in the disposal operating less efficiently. Make sure you dispose of oils away from the sink.
Iron will cause orange or pink stains in and on your fixtures if you have a well. You should purchase a water softener to use, or ask a local business to make a visit to your residence and resolve the issue for you.
Keep the drain in your bathtub working well by pouring one cup baking soda into the drain quickly followed by about a cup of white vinegar. Use a plug or rag to cover the drain, because there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
You can resolve most toilet clogs yourself. Try a plunger first. If plunging the toilet doesn’t seem to clear up a clog, check the toilet’s water level. If it’s too low, try filling a bucket with warm water. Open the toilet’s tank, and pour the water in. Do this every time the water level gets too low.
Shower Heads
One easy way to save on energy and water is to install efficiency-oriented shower heads. Most of our hot water is used in the shower. Water-conserving shower heads are relatively affordable, but using them can save you a great deal of money within a single year.
Be sure to check your dryer and clear your lint trap of any debris. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Search the lint trap to see if there are any tears or holes, this helps to prevent lint from getting into the pipes, which can cause clogs and many other problems.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.
Being educated and prepared will help you to avoid plumbing issues. The homeowners who educate themselves about plumbing are more prone to make better decisions regarding plumbing issues. Indeed, those who proactively understand plumbing issues are far more likely to be able to solve a problem as soon as it occurs.