You need to insulate any pipes have exposure to outside elements to avoid them freezing. You should also keep the temperature in the home above freezing to avoid your pipes freezing. If the temperature surrounding the pipes is anywhere below freezing, this can cause the pipes to freeze. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the plumber pipes thaw. However, frozen pipes often burst, causing damage to your home and a hefty repair bill.
Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Having it cleaned out prevents the sediment from accumulating in the septic tank and creating a sewage backup in your house or triggering the meltdown of the entire septic system. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.
The areas of floor around your toilets are particularly susceptible to water damage; here's how you can check them. Straddle the toilet, so you can rock from one leg to another to determine whether there's weakness in the floor. You can wind up saving your money simply by noticing the problem early on.
Make sure there is a strainer covering all drains in order to collect particles that would cause a clog if they went down the drain. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. By incorporating a regular cleaning routine, your garbage disposal can stay running smoothly. One way to clean your disposal is to run dish detergent and lemon rinds through your garbage disposal. As an added benefit, this technique will also eliminate any scents from your disposal.
Ensure that the overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. You may not even notice the overflow holes on your sink, but if you have a major water leak you will soon regret your apathy. Clear out your sink's overflow holes every so often, while checking for any other problems or necessary repairs.
Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.
If you have pipes that are clogged, try a cleaner that is enzyme based. Enzyme based pipe cleaners utilize natural bacteria to attack the clog and dissolve it so it can be washed away. The enzyme cleaners are the best on the market.
Be sure that the dryer's lint trap is clean. This not only prevents fires, but saves money. Always check your lint trap for damage, such as holes or tears. This could allow lint to enter your pipes, leading to clogs or other plumbing complications.
The best way to avoid plumbing bills is to prevent problems before they happen. Clogs are a big problem with plumbing, and they are quite common. Drains are frequently clogged by hair. There are ways around this; you can use a drain cover or screen which is actually designed in order to keep your pipes and drain free of hair. Taking the hair off of the screen and disposing of it is cheaper and easier than removing it from the pipes.
If grout is stuck in your plumbing, getting rid of it is likely not going to be a do it yourself project. The grout can be broken up and sent further down. This works best with plastic pipes as opposed to metal. On the other hand, this situation usually ends in a call to a professional plumber.
You do not have to turn the water on when you are putting things in the garbage disposal. While many people think that running water in conjunction with the disposal will cause it to work more efficiently, it simply isn't true. The opposite is actually true. The running water can cause the disposal to clog, causing a plumbing problem.
To extend the life of your pipes, try to stay away from drain cleaners if you can. Drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can cause your pipes to corrode if you overuse them. Especially in cases where you have a drain that clogs repeatedly, getting a professional plumber in to examine the situation may be your best option.
A number of people have plumbing nightmares, because they think plumbing problems could destroy their house. This can be avoided if you know just one thing. In order to prevent water damage to your home, you must know the location of the water register, and how you can quickly turn it off.
If you are putting in a water heater make sure that the pipe that is connected to the drainage pipe is reconnected. Pipes towards the bottom of the water heater are generally re-circulation pipes, which assist in keeping your water hot efficiently, with minimal waste.
Be extremely careful about unclogging a stopped-up drain using a chemical drain opening product. No matter how effective they are at unclogging drains, the contents of such products can be very dangerous, especially if your skin is inadvertently exposed to them. If you insist on using them, wear gloves and long sleeved shirts.
An obvious sign that you have a problem with your plumbing is water seeping or dripping down your walls. If you see this happening, shut the water off right away and call a professional plumber. This may mean you have serious plumbing problems. This sort of problem could cause a flood, a mold problem or a mildew infestation.
The worst thing to have happen is a plumbing problem if you are unprepared to deal with it. All homeowners should know the basics of plumbing. If a plumbing problem arises in your future, the information you read in this article should help you deal with it.
