To the homeowner who is unsure how to fix plumbing issues, it can be quite the challenge. If you hire a professional plumber you are looking at a wait time and pretty costly repairs, most likely for something that can easily be solved on your own. Read on to find out how to make plumbing problems easy!
To eliminate the possibility of having frozen pipes, maintain a constant temperature in your home above freezing, and be certain to adequately insulate those pipes that are out in the weather. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.
Don’t give a plumber the total bill payment upfront; pay them only when they have finished the job. There might be a down payment required, but you do not give him the total cost before he is finished. This ensures that the plumber will not abandon the job midway, and will also care about the quality of their work more.
Understanding how your tools work can give you a tremendous boost when plumbing. Make sure you read all the directions and manuals, while also taking advantage of online resources and the library to help you with your projects. Plan thoroughly before attempting a repair. Mistakes can be very expensive to fix.
Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. Either kind of toilet tablet might break down obnoxious smells in your toilet, but they might also break down the rubber parts, resulting in malfunction.
If your toilet happens to be clogged, and the plunger is not working, you can pour a bucket of hot water down the toilet, but be sure to pour it from a height that is waist level or above so you do not flood the bathroom. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.
If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, it’s because of the iron level in the water. To get rid of this problem, you can either use a commercial product to soften the water, or have a contractor come to your home and do the work for you.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!