Knowing what you are doing is essential if you plan on undertaking any plumbing projects in your home. There is not much else short of catastrophe that is going to cause as much damage to a home as plumbing issues. Luckily, there are many different ways to address plumbing problems before they get bad.
If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. If there is too much pressure within the pipe, it may burst, causing other forms of damage in the home.
You should clean your septic tank every five years! Having your septic pumped will keep sediments from settling to the bottom of the septic tank and causing the tank to malfunction or backup. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Wait until a job is done before you pay for it. A plumber might ask you for part of the money before starting the job but you should never pay more than half. You need to know the plumber did what he promised before he is reimbursed for the entire amount.
If you encounter a problem with your garbage disposal, resist the urge to reach in and fix it with your bare hands. Garbage disposals are dangerous, even when turned off. Hire a professional, or at least find your owner’s manual to look at a diagram of the disposal. Many owner’s manuals are available online, and may even contain interactive troubleshooters.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. You can prevent annoying odors and promote smooth operation by setting up a regular cleaning routine with lemon rinds, dish soap, and even cherry pits.
Keep your bathtub drain running well by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain each month. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Flush it with boiling water after a few minutes. This process should open up the pipes by clearing out hair build-up and soap scum.
Preparation and plumbing education are what is needed to avoid plumbing mishaps. If you own a home and know the basics when it comes to plumbing, you are more likely to make necessary repairs when the need arises. Using the tips in this article around the house will help anyone complete any plumbing repair safely and successfully, and they’ll become the master of their domain!