Taking care of plumbing problems yourself has a reputation for being troublesome. It can, however, be a manageable task if you learn about what you are doing and receive tips and hints from others knowledgeable in the field. This article contains a number of tips on plumbing that will help you on your way to finishing your project.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. Hiring a professional to pump out your septic tank is costly, but it is far preferable to the damages that could be incurred if the tank becomes backed-up or inoperative.
You plumbing experiences will go much smoother if you know your tools, and have the knowledge of how to use each one. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Think ahead and learn everything you can before tackling a plumbing repair project. If you make things worse rather than better, you’ll have to pay expensive plumbing fees to fix the problems.
You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odor removers in your toilet. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals, and leave you with clean, usable water.
Here is a good tip for a safe, inexpensive way to keep the drain in your bathtub trouble-free. Take one cup of baking soda and pour it into the drain. Then do the same with a cup of vinegar. Do this procedure once a month. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. This procedure should be able to clear pipes of hair and soap scum.
To keep your garbage disposal working at its best, use plenty of cold water when you turn it on. The cold water helps keep the blades sharp and can make disposal much smoother. Grease will stay solid and go through your drain with cold water; you don’t want gooey grease in your pipes.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.