Things You Should Consider Before Doing Any Plumbing
Did you know that you can use the same antifreeze that you use in your car to help prevent your home plumbing from freezing? To find out how and why, as well as other great tips for how to maintain your home’s plumbing, read the following article right away.
Avoiding frozen pies is easy if you ensure no area of your house ever falls below freezing and that any pipes which are exposed to such temperatures are protected with insulation. If the ambient temperature around the pipes is below freezing, the pipes can freeze. In the best-case scenario, you will have to wait until they thaw so that the water runs again. However, they could burst, which would cause a huge mess and an extremely big repair bill.
You should have your septic tank pumped once every five years for the best performance. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. Hiring a professional to pump out your septic tank is costly, but it is far preferable to the damages that could be incurred if the tank becomes backed-up or inoperative.
Knowing about the tools and how you’re supposed to use them may greatly help with your plumbing jobs. Read manuals and do some research on the internet before starting a plumbing project. When planning on repairs, plan on having a plan.
Make sure overflow holes are cleaned out. This can help to prevent any water damage. Overflow holes are a way to stop water from overflowing if a sink is left on by accident. If the overflow hole is clogged it will not be able to do its job.
Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. As they cool off, they can solidify and effectively create clogs and blockages in your drains. Grease is of particular concern when there is a disposal unit installed in your drain. It can cause the unit to lose efficiency. Dispose of oils and fatty liquids in the trash.
If your plumbing is making strange noises you may have lost something called your “air cushion”. To turn this back on, you’re going to need to turn off your main water supply. Run all faucets in your house and then turn back on your main water supply. This should make everything sound better again.
If you wish to use a pipe cleaner to clear out your clogged pipes, look for one that is enzyme-based. Enzyme-based pipe cleaners utilize natural bacteria to attack the clog and dissolve it so it can be washed away. Some of the finest cleaners are enzyme cleaners.
Cold weather can cause expensive plumbing repairs if your pipes freeze. They can generally be prevented, though. Make sure that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. Before winter, drain your hoses and disconnect your outdoor faucets. Be proactive about this and save on future repair bills.
If water is backing up into multiple fixtures all over the house, it is no longer going to be effective for you to use chemicals or a small hand snake. This is evidence of a blockage in the mainline, and you must contact a professional to take care of this problem for you.
If you have a lot of hair in your shower drain, be sure to get a stopper and put it in the drain. This will catch the hair from going down the drain, which can clog it. Just make sure that you remove hair that is already in the drain before using the stopper.
To prevent pipe banging when you turn on the water, think about rubber blankets or straps. Instead of assuming the pipes need to be replaced, consider anchoring them or buffering them. If your pipes are plastic, leave them some room for expansion and contraction. If pipes do not leak but just make noise, eliminate the noise.
In conclusion, you want to be sure that all of the advice you have heard about plumbing is correct. Take the time to go back over this article and decide what applies to you and what you need to learn even more about. The learning process never stops and it will benefit you greatly.
