1. Plumbing Idea You Can Try On Your Own
If plumbing is something that can have you stumped, you probably know how expensive it is to have
it done professionally. You also may have to wait for a plumber to arrive when there's a problem
happening now! Don't let this happen, read on for tips on solving your own plumbing problems!
Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are
many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid
many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people's mistakes can
make the difference of saving or losing money.
If a pipe ever freezes, you need to make sure to shut off the water. This will keep the pipe from
bursting and causing you major damage to your home. Make sure to shut the water off at the main
valve, and then open the faucet that is closest to the frozen pipe so it can drain while it is thawing
out.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Straddle the toilet, so
you can rock from one leg to another to determine whether there's weakness in the floor. As with
many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
Taking preemptive action to fix a strange smelling kitchen sink can be a good way to keep your
kitchen smelling great. Make sure not to throw hair or grease into your sink. Use baking soda if you
have a strange smell coming from your drain. Make sure you use your garbage disposal if you have
one to grind up any food and use water while doing this to prevent damage to the blades of the
garbage disposal.
Certain things shouldn't go into your plumbing system. By knowing what you can and cannot flush or
throw into the garbage disposal and sink, you can save yourself from a costly repair or disaster. A
plumber can usually get your plumbing back into working condition, but can be avoided if you know
how to dispose of items correctly.
If your drain in any device is taking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbing longer to drain water,
then you may need to have your pipes professionally cleaned depending on the severity of the
circumstances. Before you do this, there are several different products you can try. However, some
of them are professional strength and all products should be used with caution.
2. Avoid using hard cleaners on your toilets,
such as drop-in cleaner tabs in the tank.
When these tabs are almost completely
dissolved, what's left of the tab gets
washed into the bowl. This can then end
up clogging the toilet's port holes,
preventing the toilet from flushing
properly. It can take months for this
debris to finish dissolving in those holes.
Before you can fix a toilet that does not
flush properly, it is important that you
find out what is causing the problem.
Depending on what the problem is, you
may be able to fix it yourself. However, more complicated toilet flushing problems may require the
services of a plumber.
To prevent pipe banging when you turn on the water, think about rubber blankets or straps. Instead
of assuming the pipes need replaced, consider anchoring them or buffering them. If your pipes are
plastic, leave them some room for expansion and contraction. If pipes do not leak but just make
noise, eliminate the noise.
If your toilet is constantly developing moisture on the outside, you may want to consider turning up
the heat in your bathroom. The biggest cause of "sweaty" toilets is cool and moist air. Believe it or
not, this moisture could actually cause damage to your toilet, so it is crucial that you fix the problem.
The toilet should never be leaking, so make sure. Drop a few food coloring drops inside your toilet
tank to test for leaks. Then, observe the bowl. If the water turns the same color as the food coloring,
you know there is some sort of leak that must be fixed right away.
To prevent the most common kitchen sink clogs, avoid putting any sort of solid foods down your
drain. Many foods, such as eggs and vegetable and fruit waste actually harden with exposure to cold
water and over time can form clogs that are next to impossible to remove without professional help.
Plumbing requires more skills than just routing water from point A to point B. For example, it's very
common for plumbers to repair water lines.
Look at your hot water heater and make sure that the temperature is not higher than 120 degrees
Fahrenheit. If it is, it could cause you to get burned or it could reduce the unit's energy
consumption. If you determine that the temperature is too high, adjust immediately to avoid any of
these things from happening.
It is imperative as a homeowner that you know exactly where your main water shut-off valve is
located and can operate the valve in case of an emergency. The best first step measure for frozen
pipes is to stop water from entering your home in the first place. Locate the main water supply valve
and turn it on and off on a regular basis to keep it easily operable in an emergency.
3. If attempting a plumbing repair yourself, be sure and have plenty of buckets on hand to catch
spilling water. While you may have turned off the water supply, there is always some water left in
replace old jacuzzi tub the pipes and the larger the home and more extensive the plumbing system,
the more water you may encounter.
If you have hard water, check intake hoses for washing machines and ice makers often to prevent
them from splitting open from buildup. Lime scale remover can be used to remove buildup, but
replacing hoses is an economical method as well to take care of the issue. Change out hoses when
you change the batteries in your smoke alarms to stop unexpected floods.
Keep water trickling slightly from faucets to help prevent frozen pipes when the temperature drops
significantly. Colder than normal temperatures can cause problems if pipes are not insulated
appropriately, even when pipes are not exposed to the elements. By leaving the water running
slightly, you keep movement in the pipes which can prevent freezing.
As you can see from the above list of tips, maintaining and repairing your own plumbing can be very
time and money-saving in the long run if you know what you are doing. After following these tips,
you will no longer be new to plumbing, but you will become a plumbing expert.
