Proper plumbing is a vital element to home maintenance. When something goes wrong with the plumbing in your home, you may want to bring in a plumber, but it just may not be in the budget. This article will give you hints on how to maintain your home plumbing.
If a plunger is ineffective, you might be able to do the trick with a bucket of warm water. After the water level in the toilet bowl has gone down, you can repeat the procedure until the blockage is cleared.
During winter, drain and disconnect your garden hose. If you leave the water in and do not disconnect them, you run the risk of ruining the water pipes which they’re connected to. If you have a hook up in your garage and it does not go below freezing temperatures, it is safe to leave it hooked up in there.
If you have exposed pipes that are prone to freezing, heat them with a portable heater or a heat lamp. The water in exposed pipes could freeze, causing some nasty plumbing headaches, when the weather gets really cold. The pipes inside the house could even freeze. Be sure that you are keeping either a heat lamp or some sort of small heater on these pipes to keep your water flowing.
If you get your water from a well and orange or pink stains appear in your sink or tub, then you can be sure that the culprit is iron in your water. To get rid of this problem, you can either use a commercial product to soften the water, or have a contractor come to your home and do the work for you.
You may be able to treat frozen pipes by using your hairdryer. While the low heat levels a hair dryer provides may make the task take a while to complete, it’s less dangerous, and will help you avoid issues that would need the help of a plumber.
Fix issues related to low water pressure that are a result of a buildup of sediment by cleansing the aerator. After removing the aerator, disassemble it, and use a small brush that’s been dipped in vinegar to clean it. After cleaning it, put the aerator back together and put it back on the faucet. Removing obstacles in aerators should improve the water pressure.
You can keep your bathtub pipes clear by pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month. Use one cup of each. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Wait a while, then flush it with boiling water. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
If you have grout caught in your line, it’s most likely impossible for you to clean yourself. Grout can be broken up by yourself, however this generally is only a partial fix. This works better with plastic piping than it does with metal. However, this problem usually requires the help of a plumber.
As soon as you notice any water accumulating on the floor by your water heater, turn off the water valves. Any delay on your part will give a little leak time to turn into a big one, causing more damage, requiring more work, and being generally harder to stop.
Fall is the perfect time to have someone check the hot water tank in your home to ensure it’s prepared for the winter. By taking this step, you will save money during the cold winter months, because your water heater will act in a more efficient manner.
If you run your garbage disposal after working in the kitchen, use a large quantity of cold water. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and makes the disposal run more smoothly. Hot water liquifies grease and causes it to buildup in the drain, causing clogs in the pipes.
Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Even when the garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous. Search online for a troubleshooting manual for your disposal.
A flood alarm can be a good investment in a home plumbing system. A flood alarm will protect your property from water damage, much like a smoke detector will protect your house from fire. They are powered by batteries and an alarm goes off when the water reaches them. Flood alarms can protect your home from potential flooding or damage caused by water leaks.
Don’t use any colored tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Verify the location of your main water valve, and cut-off, for your property You will see the water meter near it or on it. Sinks, toilets and other fixtures may also have their own cut-off valves. Make sure every family member knows how to find these valves, and turn them off.
A strainer should be placed over all the drains in order to gather particles that would just get in the drain and potentially cause stoppage. The strainer in the kitchen sink should be cleaned each time you have large particles trapped in it. Kitchen filters should be changed often, while bathtub filters can be changed as needed.
If possible, try not to use drain cleaners. Their chemicals are extremely corrosive, and they may damage your pipes if used too often. Instead, if you still see your drain clogged up, you might need a professional plumber to come take a look and fix the problem.
What the article above does is illustrate just how easy it is to make repairs to your home’s plumbing. Practice the tips you read about. Learning how to deal with your plumbing system saves you time and money since you can take care of most maintenance and emergencies without the aid of a plumber.