Plumbing problems can negatively affect your home and your belongings. The following tips can help you diagnose and repair any plumbing problems you encounter.
If your toilet is clogged, the water level in the toilet is low, and a plunger is not doing the trick, you may be able to resolve the problem by pouring a bucket of warm water into the toilet from waist level or higher. You could repeat this process again if the water in the toilet bowl gets low.
Garbage Disposal
If you encounter a problem with your garbage disposal, resist the urge to reach in and fix it with your bare hands. Even an un-powered garbage disposal presents significant danger. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Stand over the toilet, then rock it back and forth to see if any weakening in the floor has occurred. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.
Keep the drains in your bathtub working properly by pouring a cup’s worth of baking soda and than a cup’s worth of vinegar directly down your drain every month. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. Wait for a bit, then flush with boiling water. This simple solution can break up clogs caused by everything from hair to soap scum.
Run lots of cold water whenever you use your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will liquefy, causing it to accumulate further down the drain, which could cause clogs.
If you take care of your plumbing, you will have lower plumbing bills. Drain clogs can be expensive and are actually a major repair, one of the most common ones, too. Built up hair can actually clog drains. This can be prevented by using a drain cover or screen to keep the hair from going down the drain. It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair that is on a screen than eliminating it off a pipe.
If you are trying to get a clean-out plug removed, but not getting very far, there are a couple of things you can do. The first method is by using a chisel and hammer to try to loosen the fitting. You can also chisel into the plug.
To protect yourself when a plumbing problem arises, use the tips above. Knowing what to do yourself, and when to call a plumber will quickly get things fixed. Help yourself out and try following the tips provided above to fix all your plumbing problems.