
Well-maintained plumbing is key in keeping your home free from damage. There may be times, though, when your plumbing system needs work and you can’t afford to call a professional, or you don’t have time to sit at home and wait for one. The tips provided below will teach you some great ways in which you can easily handle issues with the plumbing in your home.
Make sure the job gets done by not paying your plumber until you are satisfied, and the work is completed. You may need to pay some money in the beginning, though you should not pay the full cost until you can be certain that the job was done correctly. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.
Your plumbing experience can go a lot smoother when you know your tools, as well as how to handle them properly. Read all the user manuals, and make use of the library and internet to learn all about projects you can do by yourself. Have everything you need by way of tools and information before you attempt a repair on your own.
Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. These products can be great when it comes to getting rid of odors, but unfortunately, they can cause significant damage to the rubber portions of your toilet. This can lead to it breaking down or having other issues.
Garbage Disposal
Never use your bare hands to try fixing your garbage disposal. Even if it is are switched off, a garbage disposal can be very dangerous. Locate a diagram of the garbage disposal, or some sort of troubleshooter, online.
If you want to look for floor damage around your toilet, just check the flooring for softness. Sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or “give” in the floor. 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.
Use a drain strainer to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
Garbage Disposal
If you want to make sure your garbage disposal is going to be around as long as the house it is inside of, make sure you clean it often. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.
To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. This will cause a chemical reaction to occur and you should plug the drain. Flush it with boiling water after a few minutes. Doing this will clear your pipes of any soap scum or hair that has accumulated.
By now, you have learned a number of great ways to maintain your plumbing. By utilizing these tips in your home, you can not only fix your plumbing in an emergency, but you can also cut costs by reducing the need for a professional plumber.