Everyone has questions about plumbing at some point in time. We want to know how we can fix things ourselves and to learn basic maintenance tips. By reading this article you will learn both so you’re ready for a plumbing emergency.
Frequently inspect the floors around toilets for softness; this can tell you whether or not the floors are damaged. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you. Identify any damage and repair it before it gets worse. In the long run, you are likely to save money by not putting off the repair.
If your garbage disposal is giving you problems, never stick your hand in it to fix it yourself. Even if it is are switched off, a garbage disposal can be very dangerous. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.
Make sure there is a strainer covering all drains in order to collect particles that would cause a clog if they went down the drain. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, that is from iron in your water supply. This is fixed by using water softener, which can be bought at a store, or you can have someone come to your home and fix it.
It is important to clean your garbage disposal often to keep it functioning for many years. By regularly incorporating a routine using a combination of dish soap, lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and smelling as fresh as the day it was installed.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which you can buy at a store, or have a company come out to your house and take care of it for you.
Schedule your plumbing jobs all together. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. It can also save money since most plumbers will charge you by the hour. Coming out just once will cut down on the time it takes, making your bill smaller.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. The combination will cause a chemical reaction, so just place a cloth or other object over the drain after pouring. Wait a while, then flush it with boiling water. This procedure will clear the hair and soap scum out of your pipes.
Knowing what to do beforehand about a plumbing problem can be very useful indeed. If you do maintenance regularly, you can prevent problems. Take care of all of your plumbing needs with the help of this article.
Don’t throw trash down your toilet. Doing so can clog the drain and cause plumbing problems. Don’t flush anything that is unlikely to dissolve and wind up clogging pipes, such as diapers, tissues, paper towels and cotton balls. In addition, you should only use the amount of toilet paper that is absolutely necessary when cleaning yourself.