Plumbing problems can cause quite an uproar for a homeowner that is not familiar with fixing these types of issues. Hiring a professional plumber not only cause you to wait, but they are also very expensive. Read more to see how you can fix some simple plumbing problems!
Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Anchor any pipes that are exposed. You might have to call a professional to help finish the project if pipes are in floors, ceiling or walls.
To prevent frozen pipes, always keep the living spaces in your house above freezing, even if you aren’t home. Any exposed pipes need to be insulated against the outdoor temperatures. If ambient temperature surrounding pipes goes below freezing, pipes can freeze as well. Even in the best case scenario, it will take hours for thawing to happen before you have running water again. But, more importantly, the pipes can burst, which will cause a huge mess and big repair bill.
To avoid frozen pipes in your home, never allow the temperature in your house to drop below freezing and insulate any pipes that are exposed to the elements. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. It will take a while for the pipes to thaw, leaving you without running water. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.
Septic Tank
You should clean your septic tank every five years! Doing so will help to avoid septic tank problems by ensuring that the tank does not become clogged with sediment. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
It’s a bad idea to makes use of toilet tablets composed of bleach or in the color blue, or in fact any one designed to remove odors. They can clean the bowl and remove odors, but they also damage the soft plastic and rubber parts in and around your toilet.
Understanding how your tools work can give you a tremendous boost when plumbing. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. Make sure that, before you jump in and start taking things apart, you plan your plumbing repair first.
If your garbage disposal is not working correctly, you should not try to fix it by putting your hand in through the drain. Even an un-powered garbage disposal presents significant danger. Use the Internet to find a diagram of your device, or a troubleshooter.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. 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. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
Overflow Holes
Do not use harsh chemicals to clean or treat your toilet. It may help to get rid of your toilet’s odors, but it will damage any rubber parts, causing your toilet to malfunction, or even break down.
Check your fixtures to ensure the overflow holes are clear of debris and mineral build-up. These passages allow your sink to fill up without overflowing onto your floor, and if they’re blocked that can cause you a major headache. Periodically clear out the overflow holes when doing your other checks for things that may need repaired.
Use a cleaner that is enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. Enzyme based cleaners use “good” bacteria to transform the clog into a liquid, which will remove it from pipes. The best options on the market now are enzyme cleaners.
Lint Trap
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. An easy way to test for floor softness is by straddling the toilet and shifting your weight. If the floor feels soft when you do this, you have floor damage. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
Make sure to clean out the dryers lint trap. This will save you trouble, such as preventing fires. Always check your lint trap for damage, such as holes or tears. This could allow lint to enter your pipes, leading to clogs or other plumbing complications.
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!