Plumbing problems are common issues for new homeowners. These problems are usually in the kitchen or bathroom. Every homeowner will have to deal with a plumbing problem of some kind. Continue on for some helpful tips so you can take care of these problems if they happen.
A great tip to use to stop your septic tank from backing up is to make sure you have it pumped at least every five years. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. White it is somewhat expensive to pump the septic tank, it will be much more expensive should you need to clean backup, repair your septic tank or replace it altogether.
Do not give a plumber the entire payment for a job until the whole job is completed. 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 make sure that the plumber completed everything that they said they would before they get your money.
If your toilet gets clogged, there is a low level of water in toilet, and the plunger is not working, you may fix the problem by dumping warm water from a bucket into your toilet from about waist level. This procedure can be repeated if the water level again returns to a level that is too low.
Frequently inspect the floors around toilets for softness; this can tell you whether or not the floors are damaged. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. Early detection of the problem may save you a great deal of money over time.
Place a strainer over the drains to collect anything that could clog and cause stoppage. Clean your kitchen strainer often, particularly if you can see debris accumulating. A strainer in your bathtub should be checked occasionally and cleaned whenever necessary.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which you could purchase at a local store, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.
If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. You might be tempted to call the plumber every time you need something fixed, but if you wait and hire the plumber for a single visit, you can save up money for repairs. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.
Conserving Shower Heads
By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. You use the majority of your hot water 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.
When changing your shower head, replace it with one of good quality. Many times people try to save money and buy the cheapest one that they see. Usually these break easily.
If your pipes are clogged, and you want to try a pipe cleaner, it is suggested that you use an enzyme based cleaner. These are cleaners that work by using natural bacteria to eat away at your clog, and turn it into a liquid that is then flushed from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners are considered one of the best the market has.
To reduce your plumbing repair costs, use preventative maintenance measures. Drain clogs are a common plumbing expense. Drains can be clogged by hair. You can prevent hair from getting into your drains by simply installing a device on top of your drain such as a screen, which will trap the hair from getting into the pipes. It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair that is on a screen than eliminating it off a pipe.
An expensive plumbing issue to pay for repairs is when your pipes freeze. Normally, you will be able to prevent this issue. The first thing to do is make sure that all of the outside pipes are well insulated. When wintertime comes, disconnect and drain your hoses and shut off outside faucets. This will help to save you money on plumbing bills.
Watch for toilet leaks. You can do this by coloring the water in your tank. If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, this means your toilet is leaking.
Plumbing problems are bound to happen, so it’s important to be prepared. You should educate yourself with repair advice so that you’re able to handle simple plumbing issues. If you should face a future plumbing problem, the information you gained here will help you tackle the situation.