Often, the plumbing in a house starts malfunctioning soon after you move in. The bathroom and kitchen are the most frequent sites for these problems. Plumbing troubles are an expected part of home ownership. Here’s some tips to use when this happens.
If you possess pipes that are alive with the sound of squeaking or hammering, you have an issue that is easily corrected. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. Enlisting the aid of a professional may be necessary if any of the pipes are located in the floors, walls, or ceiling.
To prevent pipes from freezing, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. Obviously, frozen pipes occur due to freezing environmental conditions. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.
Your septic tank should be pumped out at least once every five years if you want it to stay in optimum working order. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. While you may find it costly to get your septic tank cleaned out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.
Knowing which tools to use and how you should use them is an important skill when it comes to plumbing. Read all the user manuals, and make use of the library and internet to learn all about projects you can do by yourself. Prior to attempting any repairs, be certain to plan ahead in order to avoid expensive errors.
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.
If you aren’t having any luck using a plunger on a clogged toilet, you may want to try pouring warm water into it from waist high. Repeat this once your water goes back to a lower level.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. When they cool, they will harden and create clogs in your drains. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. Throw away oils nowhere near the sink.
It is unwise to be unprepared for sudden plumbing problems. Every homeowner should arm themselves with a few basic plumbing tools and repair tips. If a plumbing problem arises in your future, the information you read in this article should help you deal with it.