As complicated as plumbing can be, with a little research, you can become knowledgeable, especially if you put the time into learning it. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced plumber, these tips should help you become a little more prepared.
Don’t use bleach tablets, odor removers or those blue tablets in your toilet. They may get rid of toilet odors, but they can damage the rubber in the toilet, which can cause it to break down completely or to not function at all.
If a plunger is ineffective, you might be able to do the trick with a bucket of warm water. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.
A strainer should be placed over all the drains in order to gather particles that would just get in the drain and potentially cause stoppage. Your kitchen sink strainer needs cleaning every time something big gets stuck in it. Those in the bathtub should be cleaned out periodically, as needed.
Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. Whenever they cool, they tend to harden and make clogs inside your drains. This is very true for garbage disposal, since fat will make the blades run less quickly and efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. You will also save because plumbers usually charge hourly rates, so hours they can charge you are reduced if there is only one trip made.
Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they’re not clogged. Sinks use overflow holes if they start to overfill, and this isn’t usually a problem, but it can be. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
Always buy a high quality fixture if you are going to replace your shower head. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. Inexpensive shower heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.
The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This will save you trouble, such as preventing fires. Be sure you inspect your lint trap for tears or holes that could mean lint is going into your pipes, which can cause clogs and issues.
If a plug needs to be removed, there are a few methods you can use. First, you can hammer a chisel around the fitting base to loosen it. Your other option to try is to chisel through the out plug.
Plumbing is not as hard as you imagined, is it? Like other things, the plumbing world is gigantic, and there is a ton of information about it out there. A little push in the right direction is all it will take to get you started. Hopefully, the tips above have given that to you.