
Working on your own plumbing can be a little confusing. There are many things you have to consider, from tools to regulations and everything in between. Keep reading to find guidance on how to better your plumbing capabilities.
In order to prevent any pipes within your home from freezing, you should never let the home temperature get below freezing. Always insulate pipes exposed to elements. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. At worst, they will burst and you’ll be paying to repair the damage.
If you have a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This helps decrease any pressure in order to prevent burst pipes. A burst pipe can create damage that is expensive to repair.
Septic Tank
Pump your septic tank about once every five years, to make sure it is working well. Doing so avoids sediment build up, so that you don’t have any kind of septic system backup. Hiring a professional to pump out your septic tank is costly, but it is far preferable to the damages that could be incurred if the tank becomes backed-up or inoperative.
Don’t give a plumber the total bill payment upfront; pay them only when they have finished the job. 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. You should make sure the plumber did a good job before you pay in full.
Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn’t working. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. Locate your garbage disposal manual, or do an Internet search for troubleshooting advice and a diagram that illustrates your model.
Check to make sure that overflow holes are not clogged up. Overflow holes divert water when a sink starts to fill up. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be a big problem if there is a clog. Periodically clear out the overflow holes when doing your other checks for things that may need repaired.
As you’ve seen, plumbing is not that complicated. There are just certain aspects of plumbing a person needs to know. In order to start, you just have to know how to properly research, how to work hard, and how to use your common sense in order to discover the best methods for the job.