If you invest some time in teaching yourself how to maintain and repair your plumbing system, your efforts are going to be apparent. It reflects a level of care in the maintenance of your home and the ability to address concerns in your own way. This is really respectable, even inspirational. Just like with all types of other skills, you can always improve your plumbing skills and add new ones. Below are tips that can help.
It’s easy to fix noisy pipes which squeak or sound like hammering. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.
If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. Having it cleaned out prevents the sediment from accumulating in the septic tank and creating a sewage backup in your house or triggering the meltdown of the entire septic system. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. 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. By noticing a problem early on, you can save yourself a bunch of money if you were to leave it alone.
Run cold water in your sink when you turn on the garbage disposal. Cold water keeps the blades sharpened, giving you optimal performance whenever it is used. Hot water will liquefy grease and build up inside the drain, eventually causing clogs.
To save a significant amount of cash on your energy bill, install energy-efficient shower heads in all of your showers. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. A single energy efficient shower head can save you $100 a year.
A sink hose that is installed incorrectly will lead to water flowing into the dishwasher. The hose connecting the sink the the dishwasher should be at an uphill angle and then downhill to prevent the water from mixing.
Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. For example, don’t flush sanitary pads or diapers down your toilet. These items can clog the pipes. Reduce your use of toilet paper if you notice frequent clogs.
You now have enough knowledge and skills to effectively fix a plumbing system. Great! However, even the most expert plumber can still learn more about his craft, and hopefully the tips you just read helped you gain a little more knowledge. You may have even found a new “regular” or favorite idea for your plumbing jobs.