When you have to do your own plumbing jobs, you might wonder where to start, equipment, regulations or instructions you may need to get started. The helpful tips laid out here can help you the information you need to be a skilled plumber.
To keep your pipes from getting frozen, never allow the temperature in your house to drop below freezing and insulate any pipes that are exposed to the elements. Your pipes can freeze if the air around them fall below freezing. It takes time for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, and that could make a mess and result in a big repair bill.
If a pipe freezes, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, preventing further damage.
Septic Tank
You should have your septic tank every five years for best performance. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as toilet tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet.These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, which can prevent your toilet from functioning correctly.
If you have a clogged toilet and a plunger is not helping to clear the blockage, and there is very little water in the basin, try to fix the issue by dumping warm water in the bowl from around your waist line. Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water goes back to a lower level.
Avoid placing fat, grease, and other oils down your drain. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of oils in other places other than the sink.
Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Plug the drain and allow the chemical reaction takes place. Wait a while, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. This should help clear your pipes of accumulated hair to soap scum.
Always use cold water when you are using your garbage disposal is running. Cold water will allow for the food particles to be properly disposed of while keeping the blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal.
Energy Bill
Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money on your energy bill. Most of the hot water is consumed in our showers. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.
As you now know, dealing with plumbing is not as hard as you may have thought. You will just need to take care of your basics prior to starting. Finding the most effective ways to tackle indoor plumbing lies in research and trial and error.