Content by-Mcneil Boone
Many people attempt to do their own plumbing in order to save money on repair costs. They often fail due to a lack of proper plumbing knowledge or by using the wrong tools for the job. If you would like to do your own plumbing without doing more harm than good, then read the tips in the following article.
If a pipe ever freezes, you need to make sure to shut off the water. This will keep the pipe from bursting and causing you major damage to your home. Make sure to shut the water off at the main valve, and then open the faucet that is closest to the frozen pipe so it can drain while it is thawing out.
Have you tried patching your pipe with the store-bought patching kits only to have that section of your plumbing continue leaking? Replacing the damaged pipe is a more permanent solution than patching. First, you must shut off the main water valve, and drain the water from the damaged section. Cut out the damaged section of the copper pipe, leaving about an inch of extra pipe on both sides of the damaged area. Remove corrosion from inside the pipes with a wire brush. Apply flux to the replacement pipe and the remaining pipe. Slide the piece of replacement pipe into place with couplings. Apply solder all around the joint, and use a propane torch to solder the replacement section into place.
If you want to keep your kitchen drains from clogging up, don't pour grease down them. As it cools and congeals it can trap other food or waste particles, which over time can slow the draining of water and even form a clog that will not be easy to remove.
Make sure you clean out overflow holes in your kitchen and bathroom sinks on a regular basis. These holes are intended to act as an emergency fail-safe to prevent spillage from a full sink, but if they are clogged they can't do their job. You can clean out an overflow hole using the same techniques you would for a clogged drain.
Be sure to clean your dryer's lint trap. This can prevent a lot of problems, including a fire. 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.
Do not pour grease or oil down any of your household drains. Put them in containers and place in the fridge until they are solid, then throw them away. If you pour them down the drain, they can solidify in cold pipes. These solid masses will clog your pipes and are very difficult to remove.
The dryer has a lint trap that must be kept clean. This saves you from potential problems, including the prevention of fires. Be sure to inspect the lint screen for any tears or holes. That could result in lint traveling down your pipes, and that may result in clogs and other issues that have to be dealt with.
Is your toilet leaking? Find out by putting some food color in the tank and then check the bowl later. If there is colored water in the bowl, the toilet has an internal leak. To fix an internal leak you can simply replace the tank's ball or flapper.
If
https://www.chron.com/life/article/5-tips-to-get-your-plumbing-system-up-and-running-12184195.php have an automatic sprinkler system, you want to consider getting a spring-loaded timer which can be attached directly to your hose. This prevents your lawn from getting too much water in case you forget to turn your system off. Getting too much water could kill your grass and plants.
Heat up frozen pipes carefully if they have frozen. In colder regions, pipes placed closest to outer walls and ceilings could freeze if not properly insulated. Use hot rags, hot water, a blow dryer or similar heat source. Start heating at a place nearest the tap, then work backwards.
If you have an underground leak in your pipes, it is possible to detect the leak before digging. Today's leak detection equipment is very sophisticated and modern, allowing technicians to detect and pinpoint exactly where leaks are before they go about trying to fix them with professional grade equipment for you.
A plumbing snake is an essential tool in any homeowner's tool box. Snakes can be used to unclog kitchen and bathrooms drains and toilets when clogged with hardened debris. They are useful as well for grabbing hold of items dropped down sink drains. Snakes come in a variety of sizes for home use and heavier-duty models can often be rented for bigger jobs.
To avoid water damage to walls in the kitchen, make sure all seams in your counter tops and back splash are properly sealed using a waterproof silicone. Silicone will dry out over time, crack and shrink and should be replaced once every three years. Keeping your silicone in good shape will keep kitchen spills where they belong and not running down the walls.
To protect your money from unsavory plumbers, always get a written estimate before paying a cent or committing to a project. Good businessmen know to under-promise and over-deliver to savvy customers. Once
sewer and drain cleaning stated number is given, it is highly unlikely that your plumber will exceed the projected costs of the project.
If you have to shut off your plumbing system for maintenance, fill up a few buckets of water so you can still flush your toilet. Fill the bowl with a full bucket to flush it. This will prevent your toilet from clogging if you need to maintain your plumbing system.
During the summer, purchase a timer that will restrict the amount of water that your sprinklers give off. Using excess water on your lawn can lead to an increase in your water bill and create plumbing issues down the road. Also, this will help to automate a manual process, saving you time and effort.
Run your washing machine when it has a full load of clothes so that you can maximize the efficiency of the water that you use. You do not want to waste water, as this will lead to a higher water bill and can cause wear and tear to your machines internal components.
Keep water trickling slightly from faucets to help prevent frozen pipes when the temperature drops significantly. Colder than normal temperatures can cause problems if pipes are not insulated appropriately, even when pipes are not exposed to the elements. By leaving the water running slightly, you keep movement in the pipes which can prevent freezing.
As you can see, plumbing isn't as difficult as you may have believed. Many plumbing problems can be solved easily with things on hand, or with a few inexpensive parts. Next time you have a problem with your plumbing, try using the tips in this article to solve it yourself!