Plumbing Advice That Anyone Should Have In Their Knowledge Arsenal
Do you know a lot about plumbing? If you do understand the current plumbing system in your home, are you thinking about revamping it? What plumbing skills do you already have? Read on to better your skills, learn some techniques, and become a better plumber.
You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.
Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that’s not good if you’re paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!
During the winter, preventing frozen pipes when you live in a small dwelling can be something good to know. Frozen pipes will not only stop your flow of water but can crack and damage pipes. By running a little water out of every faucet during the coldest parts of the day, you can avoid this.
In cold climate areas, sometimes the pipes in the plumbing system freeze. You can thaw them out without calling a plumber. Before beginning, this process, open the faucet and begin thawing closest to the faucet and then move down the line as sections thaw out. One method you can use is to wrap the pipe with a heavy towel or burlap and then pour hot water over it, set a bucket underneath to catch the water.
Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket to keep potential problems to a minimum. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials because these things don’t dissolve and could clog up your toilet. Don’t flush massive amounts of toilet paper at once, either. Most of the time, you shouldn’t need a lot of toilet paper to clean yourself; don’t use more than necessary. If you have an emergency that requires a lot of cleaning, flush toilet paper a little bit at a time instead of all at once.
If grout is stuck in your plumbing, getting rid of it is likely not going to be a do-it-yourself project. Do your best to break it up and flush it down. This is much easier if your pipes are plastic, rather than metal. However, this will most likely require a professional to do the job.
Ask before the plumber comes out if they charge for the consultation. In order to quote a project, the plumber has to come out to inspect your particular issue. It is standard to charge for the consultation appointment but the prices can vary wildly. Ask upfront so that you aren’t surprised by the total.
Always keep a trash bin in the bathroom so that you can dispose of cotton swabs, facial pads, and hair. Do not put these materials in the toilet as they can cause clogs over time and disrupt your water flow. These items will not dissolve or break down when submerged in water.
If you need to shut off your plumbing system, turning off the main valve is not enough. A leaking sink will still be supplied by the water that remains in the pipes. Make sure you check all the pipes for signs of wetness or leaks. You should do this regularly.
When leaving on vacation or leaving your vacation home, be sure to turn off the main water before you leave. If something happens while you are gone you can cause some serious damage from a flooded basement or a broken pipe in the wall that leaks for weeks until you return.
Did you learn something new about plumbing? Are you knowledgeable of the type of plumbing system your residence has? Is it a little bit less daunting for you to consider taking on plumbing tasks? Have you figured out how to use the things that work will work with the system that you have? Do you know how to properly use the equipment? Hopefully, after reading this article, your answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.