aking a step into the wondrous and complex land of plumbing for the very first time might feel a bit daunting. However, by keeping the buildful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself plumbing on par with some of the best plumbers in the field and maintaining your own easily.
Avoid frozen pipes this winter! Keep a small trickle of water dripping from faucets, and wrap your uninsulated pipes with foam or newspaper. If possible, keep the doors open between unheated and heated rooms. In an unheated area such as a garage or laundry room, keep a small heater next to the pipes. Remember to do this before the first cold snap hits.
Installing more efficient shower heads can save you tons of money on your energy bill. The shower uses most of the hot water. Invest in an energy-efficient shower head and you could save a hundred dollar every year on your water bill.
You should drain all of the water out of the tank of your hot water heater at least once every three to six months. Draining all of the water out of the tank builds to prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment can cause the tank to bang or to heat less efficiently.
If you take care of your plumbing, you will have lower plumbing bills. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a major plumbing repair. Practically anything can get stuck in those drains and cause them to lock up, including hair, foreign objects and sediment. Stop hair from going down drains with a drain cover or screen designed for this purpose. It is much easier to remove the hair from a screen than it is to get it out of a pipe.
So, after reading and applying the buildful tips listed above, you should feel a bit more at ease in the land of plumbing. You have the tools; it’s time to use them. You should feel empowered and ready to begin your plumbing journey to start taking care of your home’s plumbing system.
