
After you move into a new house, you’ll likely see some sort of plumbing problem arise. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most likely sources of these problems. In reality, every homeowner will experience plumbing problems at some point. Here are some ways to help when that happens.
Never pay a plumber until the job is complete. It is customary for many companies to require you to put money down before they begin the job, but always wait to pay the rest of the balance until the job is totally finished. It is good to know that the plumber did everything as promised before he gets his money.
Every so often, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. Put a foot on each side of the toilet and put weight on each side, if you have any give you may have damage. You can save money by noticing and treating this problem as early as possible.
Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from clogging drains. Whenever large particles become trapped in the strainer, remove them. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out as needed.
Avoid dumping oil, fat, and grease in your drain. These materials may be liquid when you pour them in, but they will solidify and cause problems. This is especially the case if you possess a garbage disposal; fats and oils cause blades to run less efficiently and slow. To keep your drain running efficiently, dispose of fats and oils in other ways besides pouring them down the drain.
Garbage Disposal
If you want your garbage disposal to have the same lifespan as your total home, clean it regularly. 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.
You can keep your bathtub pipes clear by pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month. Use one cup of each. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. This should help clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. These passages allow your sink to fill up without overflowing onto your floor, and if they’re blocked that can cause you a major headache. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
Being caught completely unprepared for plumbing dramas is the last thing you should do. All homeowners should know the basics of plumbing. If you’ve got a plumbing issue down the road, the tips you learned should help you a lot.