It is common for plumbing problems to arise in a newly purchased home. Most of the time, these problems arise in the bathroom or the kitchen. Eventually, nearly every homeowner has to face one type of plumbing issue or another. The following advice will assist you, should this situation arise.
If you have pipes that sound as if they're squeaking or hammering, it's an easy fix. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. You might have to call a professional to help finish the project if pipes are in floors, ceiling or walls.
Ensure that a septic tank is emptied approximately five yearly, and make sure it is properly maintained. This keeps the sediment from building in the tank, which can cause septic tank failure or backup into your house. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Do not pay anything until the problem is fixed. 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. You should know the plumber did his job before you pay him.
If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. Use as many resources as you need, such as online or the library, to find the right information to repair your plumbing issues. Have a good grasp of what you're attempting to do before you do it, so you don't have to repair your repair.
You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odor removers in your toilet. Both of these may help to eliminate odors from your toilet, but it can also damage the rubber parts of your toilet, causing it to not function probably, or even to break down completely.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. Create a routine that uses both normal soaps and natural materials like cherry pits of lemon rinds. With this, you'll be able to keep your garbage disposal running and smelling like new.
To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup's worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Plug the drain afterwards or cover it with a washcloth, as the two chemicals are going to react with each other. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they're not clogged. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes.
An incorrectly installed hose from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher can cause unwanted water to drain into the dishwasher. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink needs to angle uphill before going back downhill to prevent water from both being mixed.
The worst thing to have happen is a plumbing problem if you are unprepared to deal with it. All homeowners should have at least a basic understanding on plumbing tools and improvement tips. If you ever experience plumbing problems, the above advice can help you to solve them calmly and with confidence.
If you have pipes that sound as if they're squeaking or hammering, it's an easy fix. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. You might have to call a professional to help finish the project if pipes are in floors, ceiling or walls.
Ensure that a septic tank is emptied approximately five yearly, and make sure it is properly maintained. This keeps the sediment from building in the tank, which can cause septic tank failure or backup into your house. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.
Do not pay anything until the problem is fixed. 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. You should know the plumber did his job before you pay him.
If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. Use as many resources as you need, such as online or the library, to find the right information to repair your plumbing issues. Have a good grasp of what you're attempting to do before you do it, so you don't have to repair your repair.
You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odor removers in your toilet. Both of these may help to eliminate odors from your toilet, but it can also damage the rubber parts of your toilet, causing it to not function probably, or even to break down completely.
If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. Create a routine that uses both normal soaps and natural materials like cherry pits of lemon rinds. With this, you'll be able to keep your garbage disposal running and smelling like new.
To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup's worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Plug the drain afterwards or cover it with a washcloth, as the two chemicals are going to react with each other. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Doing this will probably void your pipes of hair accumulations and soap scum.
Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they're not clogged. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. Clear overflow holes when doing periodic checks for problems and plumbing issues that should be addressed.
Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. The cold water helps the blades that are inside stay sharp, and will keep your disposal running smoothly. Avoid using hot water, as this will liquefy grease, causing it to build up in the drain and obstruct your pipes.
An incorrectly installed hose from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher can cause unwanted water to drain into the dishwasher. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink needs to angle uphill before going back downhill to prevent water from both being mixed.
The worst thing to have happen is a plumbing problem if you are unprepared to deal with it. All homeowners should have at least a basic understanding on plumbing tools and improvement tips. If you ever experience plumbing problems, the above advice can help you to solve them calmly and with confidence.