To the homeowner who is unsure how to fix plumbing issues, it can be quite the challenge. You often have to wait for a plumber to make a house call, and you may end up paying a lot for a repair you could have made on your own. Continue reading to learn some tips which should make your plumbing projects easy to tackle in the future.
If you have a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This helps to relieve the pressure in the pipe and may prevent bursting, which can prevent further damage to your home.
Whenever you have plumbing work that needs to be done, you should schedule all problems at one time. If a problem is minor, it can be wise to put off repair until you have more than one item to fix.
This also gives you time to save up for the needed repairs. It is a lot more cost effective as you will only be paying for one call-out fee instead of multiple trips.
Putting a cup of any kind of baking soda followed with a cup of white vinegar each month will keep your drain running smoothly. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place.
After a few minutes,just flush the drain out with water that has reached a boiling point. Doing this will clear your pipes of any soap scum or hair that has accumulated.
Be sure that the overflow holes are free of debris. Overflow holes drain water if a sink begins to overfill, so they need to be clear at all times. Clean overflow holes as part of your annual maintenance, and any other time you are handling general plumbing repairs.
Use cold water when using your garbage disposal. Cold water will allow for the food particles to be properly disposed of while keeping the blades sharp. Hot water can clog your drain by allowing liquid grease to build up in it.
Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. Some people think they can get away with the cheapest version at the store. Inexpensive shower heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.
In order to keep your plumbing bills as low as possible, keep in mind prevention is key. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a major plumbing repair.
Hair is one of the most common clog-producing materials. Screens and drain covers are great ways to stop hair from going down your drains. Cleaning a screen is is a lot easier than cleaning out your pipe.
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!
