Need Help With Plumbing? Use This Great Information!
Plumbing can imply a lot of different connotations depending upon whom you ask or talk to about it. We all know that it’s essential to your home, but that doesn’t mean that you should neglect it or just leave it to a pro. Take some time to learn how to do it yourself using the tips below.
Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people’s mistakes can make the difference between saving or losing money.
Make sure everyone that lives in your house knows where to find and use the main water shut-off valve in case there is a burst pipe emergency. This is especially important if you live in an area where your pipes may freeze. Take a moment to show your family members where the valve is and how to properly shut it off.
Certain things shouldn’t go into your plumbing system. By knowing what you can and cannot flush or throw into the garbage disposal and sink, you can save yourself from a costly repair or disaster. A plumber can usually get your plumbing back into working condition but can be avoided if you know how to dispose of items correctly.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. You can check for softness or weakness in the floor by placing one foot on each side of the toilet and rocking back and forth. When you have a problem like this to deal with, the earlier you detect it, the less expensive it will be to take care of.
If your sink is letting rusty water out and it will not drain, it is most likely because of the biological scum and grease that is built up in the pipes. You need to have your drains professionally cleaned, allowing maximum flow through your drains. Your drains must be open completely.
Make sure that you disconnect all hoses outside your house when the fall season hits. This is important to reduce the chance of freezing, which can cause damage to the connecting pipes. Disconnect all of your water hoses and store them safely to put your family in the best position for the fall.
Make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut-off valve is and that they know how to work it. That way, if there is a water problem, anyone in your household can turn off the water, thereby reducing the chances that your home will incur major water damage.
Do not forget to check the temperature of the water heater in your house, especially if you are planning to leave for an extended period of time. You should keep the temperature no higher than 120 degrees, which will help to reduce energy use and prevent your system from burning out.
If you have grout caught in your line, it’s most likely impossible for you to clean yourself. You could try to break up all the grout to send it down further. This works better with plastic piping than it does with metal. Calling a plumber can be expensive but damaging your pipes will cost a lot more.
Do not place items in the toilets that do not belong there. For example, if you are a female, do not throw away sanitary pads or tampons in your toilet. This could cause severe damage to your toilet that could require a plumber, or even worse, a whole new toilet!
Ensure your toilet does not have any leaks. Put food coloring in your toilet tank to test the toilet for leaks. If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, this means your toilet is leaking.
It’s true that plumbing should be of utmost importance when it comes to home improvement. That said, you should not just leave it until there is a problem and then call a pro. You can learn to take care of it yourself and hopefully, these tips gave you advice on how to do that.
