Great Plumbing Tips You Can Do On Your Own

Posted on by Fix It All

TIP! Use enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes. These cleaners turn the sludge into a liquid using natural bacteria, and then the liquid flows out of the pipes.

Plumbing issues are a headache for people who don’t know how to fix them. It can take a lot of time and money when it comes to hiring a professional plumber. If you know what to do, you can tackle some simple plumbing tasks. Keep reading this article to figure out how to take care of issues with your plumbing.

TIP! If you have to replace any of your shower heads, make sure that the replacement is the best one you can afford. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head.

If you get grout in your pipes, you won’t be able to get it out by yourself. You can try to break up the grout and send it further down. Plastic pipes, if you have them, will work better than metal. It’s up to a professional to fix this problem, though.

TIP! Putting in shower heads that are energy-efficient can save you a lot of money in energy costs. The shower uses most of the hot water.

Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.

TIP! Never pay for a plumbing job completely until they have finished the job. Although you might be required to pay a down payment before the job is initiated, never pay the bill in full until you are certain that the job is completed to your satisfaction.

If you plumb professionally, consider hiring an apprentice to work under you, since there are always plenty of up and coming plumbers looking for work. This has two advantages. Firstly, it gives you an assistant at a reasonable rate, and secondly, it gives you a chance to pass on your skills and put another trained person out there.

TIP! If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. You should read the manual with any new tool you purchase.

Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. In the best case scenario, you will have to wait until they thaw so that the water runs again. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.

TIP! One plumbing repair that costs a lot of money is frozen pipes. Normally, you will be able to prevent this issue.

If you notice that water has saturated your walls, reach for the shutoff valve and notify a plumber right away. This may mean you have serious plumbing problems. This sort of problem could cause a flood, a mold problem or a mildew infestation.

TIP! Those valves that rarely get used have a way of fusing together. Be sure to give them a shot of penetrating oil and a turn from time-to-time to make sure they don’t freeze up.

Every member of your household needs a little plumbing knowledge, most especially where the shut-off valves are in your house, and how and when to use them. You need to have everybody understand how to prevent the water from flowing on the floor, which harms it. If they know where the shutoff valve is, they will have the ability to cut off the water from streaming out.

TIP! Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Exposed pipes will have to be anchored.

There’s probably a block in the connector that goes between the sewage line and main line if there is sewage backing up in your toilet. If you are unable to address this blockage on your own, you may require the services of a professional. The blockage will be cleared by running a snake throughout the line.

TIP! If your garbage disposal stops working, never try to fix it by reaching down with your hands. A garbage disposal can be dangerous, even when it is not on.

Don’t just use any drain cleaner. Some of these cleaners have chemicals that corrode your pipes. Read the label, and choose one that says it is safe for your plumbing. Certain chemicals can kill bacteria that are important in your pipes, or even be poisonous.

Brass Fixtures

TIP! You can pour baking soda down a drain followed by some vinegar if you want to keep drains clear. This should be done once a month, and a cup each of baking soda and vinegar should be used.

Brass plumbing fixtures are highly recommended if you need any kind of plumbing fixture. For one, brass fixtures are far tougher and longer-lasting. Brass fixtures often look much more aesthetically pleasing than other materials. You can find these in a home repair store.

TIP! If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and a plunger is not doing the trick, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. Repeat this once your water goes back to a lower level.

Look for water damage around loose tiles. Loose tiles can be a warning of a leak in need of repair. In the tile area, gently press the floor or wall to detect any “give.” You can more quickly deal with a problem if you pay attention to your tiles in time.

TIP! When you replace a water heater, be sure to reconnect the secondary pipe that sticks out from the drain pipe, if one is there. It is probably a recirculation pipe; that helps your water remain heated without wasting too much water.

Because people are often ignorant of what plumbing involves, they’re happy to pay whatever price a plumber asks of them. Learn some plumbing basics so that you’ll understand what the plumber needs to do to resolve problems in your home. By learning a little bit about the topic, you can rest assured that you won’t be robbed blind by a plumber.

TIP! Objects like bananas, pumpkins and chicken skins can damage garbage disposal blades. Be sure to dispose of these hard-to-grind materials first, throwing them in the garbage can, before placing other food in the garbage disposal.

As cold winter weather approaches, you should drain and disconnect your garden hoses. If they are not drained and disconnected, you run the risk of water damage to the pipes they are hooked up to. There are some places where leaving hoses connected is okay, though. If you have an area that doesn’t dip below freezing, like a garage, then you can leave them connected.

TIP! Don’t use abrasive cleaners on fiberglass bathtubs or sinks; stick to laundry detergent or dish washing soap. Non-abrasive cleaners don’t contain the same harsh chemicals that drain cleaners do, so they are both effective and safe to pour down your pipes.

Try to avoid the use of dry cleaners as often as you can. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them. If your drain frequently blocks, then call a professional to see what the real problem is, and get it solved once and for all.

TIP! Maintain your plumbing regularly to prevent leaks in your sink and faucet. Even a tiny leak can waste huge amounts of water, so do regular inspections of the pipes under your sinks to catch leaks early.

As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!

Leave a Reply