Do you feel that your home’s plumbing is in good condition? Are you interested in learning how to do simple plumbing repairs yourself? If this is your goal, you are at the right place. The tips in this article are full of advice on how you can do your own plumbing efficiently.
If you possess pipes that are alive with the sound of squeaking or hammering, you have an issue that is easily corrected. Anchoring exposed pipes will decrease the amount of noise your plumbing system makes. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.
Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Knowing your tools and how to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. You need to conduct research before attempting a repair, because it could be expensive to correct an error.
You can easily see if there are any serious damages caused by leaks by checking if the floor is soft around toilets. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. You can save money by noticing and treating this problem as early as possible.
Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. Pour the grease and oil into a can to cool, put it in the trash.
Have all the plumbing repairs done in one visit. Of course, our natural inclination is to handle problems as they arise, but it helps to get everything done at once. Even if you only have one noticeable problem, you can still get a plumber to inspect other areas. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.
Install water-saving shower heads to reduce your energy costs. Most of the hot water we use is from showering. You can save up to a few hundred dollars a year by simply installing shower heads that are energy efficient.
Don’t use your toilet like a trash can, and you minimize potential problems. Don’t flush paper towels, diapers, cotton balls, tissues or any other materials besides toilet paper. These items don’t dissolve and can cause clogs. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up after you are done.
Get a good quality replacement shower head. Choosing the cheapest shower head in the store can end up costing you more in the long run. However, they are inexpensive for a reason, this being that they are cheaply made and tend to break a lot easier.
When your pipes have clogs and you are thinking of using a pipe cleaner, choose a cleaner that is enzyme based. These will utilize natural bacteria to transform sludge into a liquid that can be removed. The best options on the market now are enzyme cleaners.
After you have read this, you should feel better about trying to fix your own plumbing problems. Avoid damaging your pipes by not using harsh chemicals. If not, keep trying new methods until you are happy with the results.