Are you doing your own plumbing for the first time? You probably don't even know where to start. It's no secret that doing your own plumbing for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Below are some tips that can help to make maintaining your own plumbing a bit smoother.
Before you start a plumbing project you should tighten all of the pipes that are easily accessible. Especially if your pipes are making a range of loud banging sounds, as this is a clear sign that there are loose pipes along the line. It is also a good idea in case there is a clog so the excess pressure released does not break a loose pipe.
Act quickly if your pipes freeze! Shut off the water and open the faucet, enabling it to drain when it thaws. Starting with the faucet, and working your way to the iced-up area, aim a propane torch or hairdryer at the pipe - this will quickly defrost it. You could also wrap the pipe in a heating pad or aim a heat lamp at it, but this will take quite some time. A last resort is to wrap the pipe in rags and pour boiling water over it.
Ensure that everyone in your household knows how to turn off the main water supply, or knows how to contact someone who can. In the event of a burst pipe or other water-related emergency, you should immediately turn off the water to prevent flooding, structural damage, and a sky-high water bill.
Making sure you know all of your problems so you can have them fixed by one plumber visit is very beneficial. Having them all fixed in one visit takes a lot of money off of your bill because you don't have to pay for the visit multiple times so make sure you make a list first.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or "softness" in the floor beneath you. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
If you operate the disposal on your sink, run plenty of cool water. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. If you use hot water instead of cold, it will turn any fat into liquid and cause the fat to clog your pipes when it later cools and solidifies.
Sometimes you have to make the choice between replacing or repairing. If you have an old appliance, that uses a lot of water or electricity, it may be best to replace. Sure, it will cost more initially, but it will save you money in the long run. The other thing is, you can't be sure how well a repair will work out, whereas with a new appliance you'll at least get a guarantee.
If you have a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is due to food debris buildup. You need to put ice cubes, orange peels, and lemon peels into the disposal and run for about 30 seconds. Next, run some liquid dish soap through the disposal. This should take care of the problem if there is not a substantial blocking buildup.
Teach kids how to shut off the toilet's water supply. Kids are notorious for putting large wads of toilet paper and other things into the toilet, which inevitably leads to the toilet overflowing. Especially if your bathroom has carpet, show kids how to turn the water valve off if the toilet water keeps rising, to prevent the mess of an overflow.
If you live in an environment where winters get cold, it is crucial that you prepare your pipes for the winter. Leaving pipes as is can cause them to freeze which can create severe plumbing issues. Have your faucet open a little bit when it is really cold to prevent frozen pipes.
To check for toilet leaks, especially if it seems like your toilet is chronically running, use a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If water is leaking into the bowl, you will see color in about a half hour. Replacing tank parts can repair leaks and greatly save on water consumption.
Tankless water heaters are a green option for the eco-friendly consumer. They work differently than conventional water heaters because they don't store water and heat the water only as it is needed. You will save some money on your energy bill.
If you toilet is clogged up, the water is low and a plunger doesn't work you could try dumping warm water from a bucket into the toilet from waist level or higher. You should repeat dumping warm water in the bowl when necessary and if the water gets low again.
Every so often you should check your toilet for leaks. A good way to check for leaks would be to put food coloring, Kool-Aid, or even coffee in the tank, anything that will color the water will work. You should check your toilet bowl in a little bit, and if there is color in the bowl, your toilet is leaking and the stopper and/or flush valve may need changed.
The most common culprit in a running toiler is the flapper or the ball assembly. Both of these are easily replaced so check on these before running to call a plumber. If you have mineral deposit buildup in the tank, a try vinegar, boiling water and baking soda to help remove it and get your toilet back in tip top shape.
As you have seen, doing your plumbing is not as scary as it may appear at first. Just think of all of the benefits it has and all of the expenses it can take care of, along with all of the money it can save you in the long run.
Orignal From: Plumbing Tips That Are Simple And Easy To Understand
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