
Everyone has a plumbing question at one time or another. It’s useful to be able to fix minor problems on our own, and it’s great to know some general tips about plumbing maintenance. This article will help you with both repairs and maintenance, so that you are prepared to deal with any plumbing situation you may face.
If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This helps decrease any pressure in order to prevent burst pipes. A burst pipe can create damage that is expensive to repair.
Your plumbing experience can go a lot smoother when you know your tools, as well as how to handle them properly. Read the instructions, which many people overlook, and check out the internet which has many resources to help with plumbing issues. Make sure you plan before you try any kind of repair, as it can be costly to fix a mistake.
Don’t put oil, grease or fat into your drain. When they cool down, they get hard and that will cause clogs in your sink drains. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. The best thing to do is to dispose of oil-based liquids away from your sinks.
Garbage Disposal
You can greatly extend the life of your garbage disposal by regularly cleaning it. By regularly “cleaning” the disposal with lemon rinds, cherry pits and dish soap, you can make sure that your garbage disposal is running well and smelling so clean it could be new.
Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they’re not clogged. These holes come into use if the skin overflows. Things can get problematic if they are clogged. When you’re periodically checking your sink for possible problems, take the time to clean out the overflow holes.
It is very important to to use lots of cold water when running your garbage disposal. Blades will stay sharper with cold water, making disposal quicker. When you use hot water, any grease that is in the garbage will melt and be more prone to stopping up your drain.
Dishwashers that have too much water running into them could have a hose installed improperly. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.
Don’t use your toilet like a trash can, and you minimize potential problems. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.
Make sure you do educate yourself ahead of time before situations arise. Routine maintenance on your home plumbing can prevent future problems from arising. Follow the advice provided in this article so you can take care of the plumbing needs you have in the future.