Water may be the source of all life, but it can also be a nemesis to the frustrated homeowner dealing with plumbing problems. Besides dealing with natural disasters, a major plumbing problem can be one of the most challenging parts of home ownership. Thankfully, owners of homes can take steps to avoid plumbing nightmares.
If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as the pipe thaws. This helps decrease any pressure in order to prevent burst pipes. A burst pipe can create damage that is expensive to repair.
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Obviously, if it is below freezing outdoors, the pipes will be subjected to the same temperatures. If pipes do freeze, the best possible scenario would include taking time for the pipes to thaw and any frozen water to drain. However, they could burst, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
Wait to give compensation to a plumber until they are finished with their work. Some plumbers may require a deposit, but don’t fork over all the dough until the job is completed to spec. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.
Get to know the tools and how they are used for the most success in plumbing. Read all of the equipment’s manuals and read up as much as you can on plumbing projects. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.
You can check for damage to the floors around the toilets by checking for soft areas. 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. You can wind up saving your money simply by noticing the problem early on.
It is important that you do not pay a plumber in full, until all of the work is complete and satisfactory. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly. You want to know the plumber has fulfilled all his requirements as promised in the agreement before he gets paid.
Avoid dumping oil, fat, and grease in your drain. When they cool, they will harden and create clogs in your drains. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the trash.
If your home uses well water and orange or pink stains become noticeable in your bathtub or in other fixtures, this occurs when the water has too much iron. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.
Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. Clean the kitchen sink strainer any time something collects in it. Those in the bathtub should be cleaned out periodically, as needed.
Kitchen Sink
If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. This hose must lead uphill and downhill to prevent mixing water between the kitchen sink and the dishwasher.
Don’t use your toilet as a trash can in order to avoid problems. A lot of commonly-flushed items such as tissues, cotton balls and swabs, paper towels, diapers, and sanitary napkins can clog up a toilet by failing to dissolve properly. Even toilet tissue should be used conservatively. Use enough to clean yourself, of course, but if you need to use wads of tissue you should flush several times in the process instead of waiting till the end.
Ensure overflow holes don’t have any debris in them. Overflow holes divert water when a sink starts to fill up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be a big problem if there is a clog. Clear out your sink’s overflow holes every so often, while checking for any other problems or necessary repairs.
If you have to replace any of your shower heads, make sure that the replacement is the best one you can afford. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. The issue with that is they’re less tough and can break.
Realize that branch lines can get blocked and cause sewage backups that affect main lines. If you have tried and cannot remove the blockage, you will need a plumber to come to your home and run the plumbing snake down into the toilet to clear the blockage.
It is important to locate the main water supply cut-off valve in your home. There should be a water meter either on it or possibly close by. Also, locate additional shut off valves for toilets, sinks, washers and any other device that runs off of your water supply. You will want to make your family aware of the location of each valve, and add markings that give directions on how to shut each one off whenever an emergency arises.
If you notice water draining into your dishwasher, check how the kitchen sink hoses are installed. 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.
Many people have no clue what plumbing entails, so they will pay whatever price the plumber demands. If you own your own home, it’s important that you take the time to learn the basics of plumbing, enough to ensure that you know what a plumber will be doing. This will make sure that you aren’t ripped off.
Plumbing Issues
Being knowledgeable and prepared are the best ways to avoid plumbing issues. A homeowner who learns about plumbing will make wiser decisions and be able to avoid dangerous plumbing issues. If a problem does arise, research and preparation ahead of time will make the problem easier to fix.
Steer clear of drain cleaners whenever possible. Compounds that are ingredients in common drain cleaners are quite corrosive and can cause pipe damage if overused. When you have a plumbing blockage, consider calling out a professional to determine what the source of the problem is.