Finding issues with the plumbing after purchasing a new home is not an uncommon experience. Most of the time, these problems arise in the bathroom or the kitchen. Unfortunately, you should expect that plumbing issues can arise at any given time. The following advice will help, when that homeowner is you.
If your pipes are making a racket, there is a simple way to quiet them down. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. Pipes that are contained within the floors, walls and ceilings may need to be attended by a professional plumber.
You never want to pay for a job until it is complete, and this goes for a plumber as well. Although you might be required to pay a down payment before the job is initiated, never pay the bill in full until you are certain that the job is completed to your satisfaction. Knowing that the plumber performed all services, as promised, can be good for your peace of mind and your wallet.
Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used 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 a clogged toilet with a low water level and a plunger isn’t doing the job, it’s time to try adding a bucket of lukewarm water to the toilet from a around three feet or higher. You can repeat this procedure once the water returns to a low level.
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, even if there is a serious problem with it. Garbage disposals pose a serious risk, even when flipped off. Search online for a troubleshooting manual for your disposal.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. Grease hardens when it cools and will clog your pipes. As an owner of a garbage disposal, this is important because the blades will stop working if they have fat on them. Don’t put oils down the sink.
If your home has a well for water and there are pink or orange stains in the sinks and tubs, this could be due to high iron content in your water. To get rid of this problem, you can either use a commercial product to soften the water, or have a contractor come to your home and do the work for you.
Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Most of your water bills comes from the water you use to shower. When you invest in energy-efficient shower heads, you will save around $100 a year for every shower head.
Being unprepared for a plumbing problem can really make an already bad situation worse. Anyone who owns a home needs to have a small arsenal of tools and tips at their disposal, just in case. If a plumbing problem arises in your future, the information you read in this article should help you deal with it.