Plumbing needs to be done right! It can create more trouble and expense if it is not done properly! Not everyone is a plumber. If you are not up to the job, hire it out! If you can do-it-yourself, that is great! You will need the right tools and know how. Read this article for some handy tips and tricks!
Check how well your toilets are flushing. If the handle needs to be played with in order to keep the water from running constantly, or if it needs to be held down several times in order to flush, you may need to switch out some of the parts in your tank. This is not expensive, and it could help reduce your monthly water bill. It could also mean that you avoid the embarrassment of the flushing system breaking when you have visitors!
Set the temperature on your hot water heater to a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees. This helps to save energy and prevents the water from becoming too hot and potentially scalding someone in your household. Older models that do not have a temperature setting should be set on Medium.
When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Some people think they can get away with the cheapest version at the store. However, cheap parts don’t work as well and break down more quickly.
Your water heater works more during the fall and winter so make sure that you eliminate all sediment buildup around this piece of equipment. Flushing this device can lead to increased longevity so that you do not face plumbing problems during the winter. This precaution will save time, money and effort.
Keeping up with maintenance is the number one way to keep plumbers from having to come fix issues. Clogs are the most commonly reported problems when it comes to plumbing issues. Hair can clog drains. To keep hair out of your plumbing, use a screen or cover for your drains that allows water through but keeps hair out. It is much easier to remove the hair from a screen than it is to get it out of a pipe.
Make sure to pour a gallon or two of water into drains that are used infrequently. Not only does this make sure that they are clear when you need them, but can also fill the trap and make sure that unpleasant odors don’t enter your home. Doing this periodically will also help you to catch problems before they become serious.
Clean the aerator to fix low water pressure issues that are caused by the buildup of sediment. A small brush (an old toothbrush is ideal) dipped in vinegar will do a great job on the aerator after it’s been removed and disassembled. Then all you need to do is rinse and reassemble the aerator before putting it back on the faucet. This technique causes the water pressure to rise via the removing of any blockage within the aerator.
A good tip to use when using your garbage disposal is to leave the water turned off. People think that things will go more smoothly down the disposal if water is used at the same time, but it does nothing to help. This could actually make the garbage more sticky and cause more issues.
Sometimes kitchen sinks can be clogged up due to a slow accumulation of solidified grease. One quick fix for this is to try pouring very hot grease down the sink, which will liquefy the grease clogging the drain and carry it down. Water won’t work, because grease will not dissolve in water.
If your toilet has sewage back-up, then there is a block somewhere along the branch line that connects the sewage and main lines. You can run a device through this called a snake to try to clean up the clog. Or you can also purchase some specific drain cleaner and hope that works. If not, you’ll have to call in the professionals.
If you have an ice maker or other plumbing going to your refrigerator, every six months or so pull the refrigerator away from the wall and inspect this plumbing. There should be no condensation or corrosion on these plumbing lines, if there is, contact a plumber and have them look at it.
Check the plumbing in your home. If your home has the flexible gray polybutylene water pipes, you need to have a plumber come out and assess their condition. These types of pipe are prone to failure and can lead to very costly repairs if they have a failure within your home.
Hopefully, you have found the tips and tricks above to be quite handy! Whether you hire out the job or do-it-yourself, take the necessary time to do it right. It can create more trouble and expense in the future, if it is not done properly!
Bethlehem NC
