Article written by-Bradford Kenny
If plumbing is something that can have you stumped, you probably know how expensive it is to have it done professionally. You also may have to wait for a plumber to arrive when there's a problem happening now! Don't let this happen, read on for tips on solving your own plumbing problems!
If your pipes bang when you turn on the water, and all the pipes are anchored correctly, you should add some straps or cushion the pipes with a rubber blanket. There may be times when you will need to do both. Make sure that if you have copper pipes, you are not using galvanized straps.
Do not fall for the idea that liquid grease can be easily washed down the drain with hot water. While the grease may flow past the initial drain with the water, it does not take much of a temperature change as it moves through your pipes to alter from liquid to solid. The repeat habit of dumping grease in the sink is a sure-fire way to ensure a hard-to-reach clog forming in the future.
If you have noisy pipes, you can cushion them with a rubber blanket or add additional anchor straps. Banging pipes are usually caused by loose pipes, water hammering to a stop as you turn it off, or hot water pipes shifting in their position. All of these problems can be solved by cushioning and anchoring the pipes.
Find a better way to discard of cooking oil instead of pouring it down the drain where it can easily clog your pipes. Keep a coffee can or other metal container handy to pour grease into after cooking. Place the can in the freezer to harden the grease and when it's full, discard it with the trash.
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Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. Let
Highly recommended Reading sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. This simple solution can break up clogs caused by everything from hair to soap scum.
If you have multiple plumbing problems, schedule all of them to be fixed together. This allows you to save up for necessary parts and equipment while saving money on hiring a professional. Doing this can also save you money, since it's common for plumbers to charge hourly rates. It'll condense the total amount of time they need to spend to something you can more easily afford.
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One way to avoid a common plumbing problem is to make sure never to flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down a toilet. Other things made of paper like tissues, paper towels, and the like do not dissolve the same way toilet paper does and can get stuck.
If your plumbing is making strange noises you may have lost something called your "air cushion". To turn this back on, you're going to need to turn off your main water supply. Run all faucets in your house and then turn back on your main water supply. This should make everything sound better again.
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Be certain that your toilet does not have a leak. To find out if your toilet is leaking the only thing you need to do is place a few drops of food coloring in the tank of your toilet. Watch your toilet bowl closely, and if you notice colored water in a manner of seconds, you definitely have a leak that will need to be fixed.
Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check them for signs of wear and tear and replace any hoses more than 10 years old. You'll find that these hoses age well, but you have got to make sure they are doing the job they should.
You might not be able to control which plumber you have to use, but you can find out all you can about them on the Internet. If an insurance company is requiring you to use a certain plumber, doing a background check on him can put you on guard should he have a bad reputation.
To prepare for the cold weather, properly drain all outside faucet bibs and turn off the water supply to those faucets. A piece of foam taped to the outside bib can provide excellent insulation to prevent any remaining water from freezing or splurge for a specialty cover that comes complete with velcro closures.
Keep from using
Plumbing Test Questions And Answers . Drain cleaners contain caustic and damaging chemicals which can destroy your pipes if used too often. If you believe your drain is seriously clogged, have a professional plumber examine the line.
If you own property where the temperature gets below freezing for an extended amount of time each year, you should make sure that pipes located in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces and garages, are insulated. Pipes that are exposed to the outside elements or those that are prone to freezing, should be protected by heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables to prevent them from freezing.
If you have a leak and your water bill is going up, there is a method you can try before you call a professional. You can use the red-dye system to detect whether the leak is above ground, underground, or whether it has anything to do with the toilets.
Investigate loose tiles for sign of water damage. Loose tiles could be an early sign that leaks have caused damage, so press against tiles gently to see if they "give". The situation can be addressed early on if the tiles have indicated the leak to you soon enough.
To prevent exposed pipes under your home from freezing during the winter, use foam pipe insulation or electric heat tape to cover your pipes according to the manufacturer's directions. A burst pipe can cause damage and high water bills, so preventing freezing and bursting is essential during the coldest months of the year.
If you must call a professional to repair your plumbing problem, be prepared with a list of all of your plumbing problems, no matter how small or trivial. Plumbers typically charge a set fee just to make a house call, usually the price of one hour of their time. But, if they can fix your initial problem in a few minutes, you will get more value for that service call and avoid having to pay for another, by having them check out other issues.
As you read in the beginning of this article. Professional-plumbing services are costly, and many plumbing problems can be solved by anyone who knows what needs to be done. Hopefully, this article has given you the knowledge to avoid an expensive call to a professional plumbing service in the future.