Water’s the source of life, but can be the arch nemesis of those with plumbing problems. Beside natural disasters, not many other things can cause more destruction to a home than a serious problem with plumbing. Luckily, homeowners have a lot of ways to avoid plumbing issues and ways to minimize the effects of those issues when they happen.
To prevent pipes from freezing, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. If ambient temperature surrounding pipes goes below freezing, pipes can freeze as well. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.
If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.
Never pay a plumber until the job is complete. You might have to put money down initially before the plumber begins the job. However, do not pay everything up front; instead, only pay once the job is successfully completed. It is good to know that the plumber did everything as promised before he gets his money.
Learning the basics is important with plumbing problems, including how to use the common plumbing tools. Use as many resources as you need, such as online or the library, to find the right information to repair your plumbing issues. Have everything you need by way of tools and information before you attempt a repair on your own.
Never put your hands in your garbage disposal to fix a problem. Even when the garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous. It’s advised to obtain a diagram, possibly off of the Internet, that depicts your machine in accurate detail.
Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. Early detection of the problem may save you a great deal of money over time.
A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Kitchen filters should be changed often, while bathtub filters can be changed as needed.
Use cold water when using your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps the blades sharpened, giving you optimal performance whenever it is used. Using hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate in the drain, which will cause clogs in your pipes.
As it is with anything, good preparation and education are keys to avoiding problems, and this holds true with plumbing as well. Homeowners who become knowledgeable about plumbing are better able to avoid plumbing disasters. Keep the above tips in mind to be better prepared to quickly fix any plumbing problems that do arise.…