Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out http://www.hotwater.com/water...

1. Make The Most Of Your Plumbing Jobs
Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out
http://www.hotwater.com/water-heaters/ to be. There are some basic things that you need to know
about plumbing systems, as well as, having the necessary tools to do your own repairs. This article
may have a few useful tips and tricks that you can add to your tool belt.
You never want to pay for a job until it is complete, and this goes for a plumber as well. Sometimes
plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the
total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction. You should make sure the
plumber did a good job before you pay in full.
If you discover that a water pipe has frozen, find the tap closest to the pipe so when the thaw
happens, the water has an exit point. This gives the pressure somewhere to go, and can keep them
from bursting.
Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious
leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water
and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.
Save money by getting better shower heads. Energy efficient shower heads can save you money on
your energy bill and water bill. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are
energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.
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.
Avoid pouring grease or oil down your kitchen sink drain. Grease and oil can build up in your pipes
and cause a backup. Instead, wait for the grease or oil to cool and solidify and either throw it away
or see if there's a place to recycle it near your home.
When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. This can usually be prevented.
First, insulate your outside pipes well. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to
drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. You can save a bunch on
your plumbing bills this way.
A plumbing snake is an essential tool in any homeowner's tool box. Snakes can be used to unclog
kitchen and bathrooms drains and toilets when clogged with hardened debris. They are useful as
well for grabbing hold of items dropped down sink drains. Snakes come in a variety of sizes for home
use and heavier-duty models can often be rented for bigger jobs.
Research your plumber online even if you are in the position of not having the choice in which
plumber is going to enter your home.. If an insurance company is requiring you to use a certain
plumber, doing a background check on him can put you on guard should he have a bad reputation.

2. To compare the quality of your pipes or sewers over time, create a video for documentation
purposes. Several months later, make the same video so that you can see if there are any new cracks
or holes that require fixing. This can serve as a great way to analyze your infrastructure.
If you have a leak and your water bill is going up, there is a method you can try before you call a
professional. You can use the red-dye system to detect whether the leak is above ground,
underground, or whether it has anything to do with the toilets.
Check to make sure that the walls behind the tiles in your bathroom are not soft. Push into the tiles
to confirm that the foundation is firm and robust. If the area is delicate and brittle, there is a good
chance that water has created damage behind the tiles over time.
Run dishwashers and washing machines at night, or during times when people are not using that
much water. This will keep water pressure strong for showers and other things, while making sure
that dishwashing and laundry still takes place in a timely manner. It also preserves energy costs and
use.
Homeowners in colder climates where snow and freezing is the norm should insulate all basement
plumbing pipes with foam to help keep hot water hot and prevent pipes from sweating in the warmer
weather. Properly insulated pipes save money on hot water heating costs and greatly reduce the
chance of frozen pipes in the winter.
If the water pressure on your street exceeds 60 pounds, you many want to consider installing a
pressure reducing valve. Too much water pressure is actually harmful to your plumbing system and
could cause excess water pressure. A pressure reducing valve cuts down your water pressure by
almost 50 percent.
Keep an eye on the grout between tiles in your bathroom. Watch for cracks and areas where the
grout seems to be falling out, and repair them immediately. Small grout crack issues can be easily
repaired by pulling out the bad and putting in new grout. Allow any new grout to dry completely
before exposing it to water.
If you notice water dripping or signs of water staining on your walls, you should immediately turn off
your water supply and notify a plumber. This indicates a serious plumbing problem. If unchecked,

3. these issues can lead to mold, mildew or flooding in your home.
The best thing you can do if you smell a foul odor coming from your toilet is to call a plumber. There
is a good chance that you may have a sewer backup. Not only can this cause pipe damage, but
inhaling the smells from sewer backups is harmful to your help.
In conclusion, not all advice should be taken seriously. Be sure to be careful who you take advice
from especially when it is something that could lead to much frustration in the future. This article
hopefully provided all water heater repair and service of the details that you need to know about
plumbing.