Water can play multiple roles in your life. It is essential in order to keep living, but it can be a ruthless enemy when it comes to plumbing issues. Serious plumbing disasters can be extremely damaging to any home. This article will give you some great tips to help you avoid a plumbing disaster.
Septic Tank
You should clean your septic tank every five years! This will prevent sediment from piling up in your tank, which could cause it to overflow into your home and yard, or even cause the entire septic system to fail. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.
Do not give a plumber the entire payment for a job until the whole job is completed. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. This ensures that the plumber fully completes the job before getting paid.
Don’t use any colored tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. These products may well remove odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, even if there is a serious problem with it. Even when they are turned off, disposals can be very dangerous. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.
Water from wells can cause orange or rust colored stains in places like bathtubs and sinks. This comes from large amounts of iron present in the water. You should purchase a water softener to use, or ask a local business to make a visit to your residence and resolve the issue for you.
Keep your bathtub in good shape by using a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down its drain monthly. Cover it with a plug or rag, since a chemical reaction should happen in the pipes. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. This method clears out soap scum buildup and accumulated hair that gets caught in the pipes.
If you run your garbage disposal after working in the kitchen, use a large quantity of cold water. The helps sharpen the blades and clears out the drain mechanism. If you use hot water, any grease in the disposal will liquefy, causing it to accumulate further down the drain, which could cause clogs.
Having a basic knowledge and being prepared are the first steps to successful plumbing repairs. Even just learning the basics will go a long way to prevent costly and damaging mistakes. Also, homeowners who dig up information about a problem beforehand are much more likely to solve the problem faster and easier.