Do Your Own Plumbing With These Tips

TIP! Obnoxiously loud pipes that like to squeal and hammer are easy situations to correct. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored.

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.

TIP! It is important that you do not pay a plumber in full, until all of the work is complete and satisfactory. You may be required to put some money down before a job is started, but never pay the total cost until you know the job has been completed correctly.

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.

TIP! If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.

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.

TIP! Don’t use your toilet as a wastebasket to keep potential problems to a minimum. If you flush improper items such as disposable diapers, facial tissue, cotton balls, paper toweling, tampons or sanitary napkins down the toilet, you will surely have problems with clogs.

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.

TIP! Enzyme based pipe cleaners should be a first choice when you are trying to unclog a pipe that is blocked or draining slowly. These cleaners have natural bacteria in them, which turn sludge into liquid form that can be easily removed from your pipes.

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.

TIP! Always remember to keep your dryer’s lint trap clean. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety.

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.

TIP! If you want to save a lot of time and money on plumbing repairs, prevention is the best weapon you have in your arsenal. Clogs are a big problem with plumbing, and they are quite common.

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.

TIP! You can use two different methods to remove clean out plugs. The first approach to use is taking a hammer and chisel to see if you can get the fitting loose.

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!


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