If you have to fix the plumbing in your home, you may be overwhelmed about what to do and where to begin. Continue reading to find all the knowledge you’ll need to fix your own plumbing and even install new fixtures!
Anchoring your pipes can eliminate the hammering and squeaking noises caused by loose pipes and fitting. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.
If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This will relieve pressure and might prevent the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
Septic Tank
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Having your septic pumped will keep sediments from settling to the bottom of the septic tank and causing the tank to malfunction or backup. The cost to have your tank pumped might be a little steep, but it sure beats the alternative of dealing with sewage in your home or on your property.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, this is likely a result of iron levels in the well water. A water softener will take care of the issue. This can either be done by yourself, or you can hire a professional to come and take care of.
Use cold water when using your garbage disposal. When cold water hits the garbage disposal, it sharpens the blades. This keeps the disposal working properly. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes.
To save a significant amount of cash on your energy bill, install energy-efficient shower heads in all of your showers. Most of the hot water we use is 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.
If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. 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.
If there is grout stuck in your line, it is most likely going to be a lost cause attempting to clean it all yourself. You can try to break up the grout and send it further down. This is more successful in plastic plumbing as compared to metal pipes. However, ultimately it usually requires a professional to rid you of this problem.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners should be avoided, if possible. Their chemicals are extremely corrosive, and they may damage your pipes if used too often. Rather than using drain cleaners, hire a plumber to fix your blockage problems.
If you require the services of a plumber, be sure to check them out prior to hiring them. A plumber with bad credentials might not be experienced enough to fix your problem. Always look into a plumber’s reviews or talk to people you trust, such as family and friends.
Always check for leaks in and around your toilets. Check for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank of each toilet. Look at the bowl carefully. If you notice colored water in several seconds, then you know your toilet is leaking badly, and you need to fix this as soon as possible.
If you see a pipe coming out of the drainage pipe when putting in your new water heater, reconnect it before you finish the job. The recirculation pipe helps hot water circulate through your plumbing system so that you won’t waste water while heating it.
If you need plumbing fixtures, think seriously about brass. These are durable and last for a long time. Also, brass fixtures give off a much nicer appearance than similar counterparts. They are also easy to locate, just about any hardware or home repair store will have them.
If you are working outside under the sun for a long time, make sure to take frequent breaks in the shade away from direct sunlight to cool down. When you are absorbed in your work, it isn’t hard to ignore the sun’s heat, but it still poses a danger to you.
Certain things, like chicken skin, carrots and bananas, can actually get caught in the blades and result in a clogged garbage disposal. Use the garbage can to store materials that the disposal can’t handle.
If your pipes are copper, they may slightly expand when hot water flows through them. Such expansion can produce movement and friction between the pipes and their pipe hangers, or even make the pipes pop out. Wrap some tape around a pipe to put it back on the hanger.
Look for water damage around loose tiles. Pressing softly against the wall or floor tiles can tell you if any don’t push back as hard as the rest, and soft spots could be warning signs of a leak. You can handle a problem more quickly if the tiles let you know in time.
Flood Alarms
Home owners are warming up to the idea of installing flood alarms to their plumbing. A flood alarm works in much the same way as a smoke alarm, only they’re placed at floor level. Flood alarms are powered by batteries and sound off when exposed to water. Flood alarms alert you to potential flooding or leaks.
As you have seen, plumbing, while appearing intimidating, is not all that complicated. There are just certain aspects of plumbing a person needs to know. All you need to do to start is do your homework, common sense, and best method to go about doing your job.
