With plumbing problems, you need to make sure you properly take care of the issue. Sometimes, you just need some advice to help you find the correct solution, and the tips in this article provide a solid resource to learn from.
If your pipes are so noisy that they sound like squeaking or hammering, you can easily solve this problem. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Septic Tank
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. Regular maintenance will keep sediment from backing up inside of the tank. Sediment can not only cause the sewage in the tank to back up into your house, but it can cause the tank to fail completely. If the cost of pumping your septic tank seems a bit steep, remember that the cost of cleanup and repair of a failed septic system will be much higher.
If you know what tools you should use, it can help you deal with your plumbing problems in the right way. Read manuals and do some research on the internet before starting a plumbing project. Before undertaking repairs on your own, you should have a plan; otherwise, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.
Check for floor damage around your toilet. If the floor around your toilet feels softer than the rest of the floor in your bathroom, there’s damage you need to address. Sit on your toilet and sway across both feet to feel if there are any spots less firm than the others. 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.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. As they cool off, they can solidify and effectively create clogs and blockages in your drains. This is very true for garbage disposal, since fat will make the blades run less quickly and efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
If you notice orange or pink stains in your bathroom fixtures, this is because of the iron in your water. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.
Garbage Disposal
Run lots of cold water whenever you use your garbage disposal. When cold water hits the garbage disposal, it sharpens the blades. This keeps the disposal working properly. Hot water can clog your drain by allowing liquid grease to build up in it.
Save money by getting better shower heads. Most of the hot water we use is in the shower. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.
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. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch — start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won’t be an issue.
When it is time to replace your shower head, you should consider paying a little more for a better one. It’s common to think it’s fine to buy the one that is the cheapest. However, cheap parts don’t work as well and break down more quickly.
Enzyme based pipe cleaners should be a first choice when you are trying to unclog a pipe that is blocked or draining slowly. The natural enzymes in these cleaners dissolve the clog, turning it into liquid, freeing it from the pipes. Enzyme cleaners are efficient and will not damage your pipes.
If you find yourself needing a plumber, don’t hire one until you have checked out his or her credentials. Some plumbers are simply not skilled or experienced enough to handle certain jobs, and they could even make your problem worse. Check out online reviews of various plumbing companies, or get recommendations from friends and family.
Watch for toilet leaks. An excellent method of checking this is by dropping a few food coloring drops in the tank of the toilet. Keep your eyes on the toilet bowl, and if the colored water seeps into the bowl, you know that there is an issue with your toilet that you will need to take care of soon.
Plumbing requires more skills than just routing water from point A to point B. Plumbers are routinely called on to repair water lines.
Carefully choose drain cleaners. Avoid those that have chemicals that are damaging to pipes. Pick a brand that will be gentle on your pipes. Your plumbing needs some forms of bacteria in order to work properly and the wrong chemicals can kill these good bacteria, as well as being toxic to people.
Loose Tiles
Look for water damage by looking at loose tiles. Loose tiles sometimes mean a leak needs to be fixed, so see if there is any “give” when you push against a tile. You can manage problems quicker if you detect it early through the tiles.
Having plumbing tools around the house may feel like an unnecessary and expensive choice, but the tools could save you tons of money in the long run. There are many Internet videos that can show you how to make basic repairs to plumbing. With your own tools, you won’t always need a plumber to take care of simple plumbing tasks.
Make sure you apply these tips for a good plumbing system. Get the best professionals and take care of what you can so that you can save some money. Follow the advice here and take it to heart.