
Plumbing problems pose a headache for the homeowner that is not familiar with plumbing problems. There are, of course, licensed plumbers, but they usually can’t come to your house right away and charge an arm and a leg to fix simple issues. Keep reading to learn how to easily fix common plumbing problems.
You need to insulate any pipes have exposure to outside elements to avoid them freezing. You should also keep the temperature in the home above freezing to avoid your pipes freezing. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. If they do freeze, you are looking at some time before they can thaw out, thus you will have to wait for running water. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.
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.
Septic Tank
To keep your septic tank in good working order, it is advisable to have it pumped out every five years. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
Check floors around toilets for softness, so you can tell if you have any floor damage. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you. Early detection of the problem may save you a great deal of money over time.
Don’t pour cooking grease, leftover frying fat or any oils down your sink drain. When they cool, they’ll harden and clog your drain. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. Throw away oils nowhere near the sink.
If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, it’s because of the iron level in the water. You can combat this by using a water softener. You can either purchase it at a store, or hire a company to come to your house to set it up for you.
If you want to make sure your garbage disposal is going to be around as long as the house it is inside of, make sure you clean it often. In order to keep it clean, you can use a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and lemon rinds which will keep the disposal running smooth and smelling fresh.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!