What You Need To Learn About Plumbing
Content writer-Bean Iqbal
When you hire a plumber, it can cost a lot of money for even a very simple repair that you could have done yourself with some basic plumbing knowledge. Don't waste money on professional plumbers again! Read on for some tips on solving your own plumbing problems with tools you have at home.
Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people's mistakes can make the difference of saving or losing money.
Before you start a plumbing project you should tighten all of the pipes that are easily accessible. Especially if your pipes are making a range of loud banging sounds, as this is a clear sign that there are loose pipes along the line. It is also a good idea in case there is a clog so the excess pressure released does not break a loose pipe.
Treating your drains every month is a great way to avoid future clogs and other problems, and it's a very simple procedure. Just run one to two gallons of hot tap water down each drain in your house.
Find out the plumbing codes in your local area before starting any project. Plumbing codes can vary wildly from area to area and you don't want to run afoul of the codes. Visit your local building department to find out information or hire a plumber for a day to help you go over your plans and provide advice.
Do not attempt to remove grout from your plumbing. You can attempt to break up some of the grout which works to help the line go a bit smoother. This works better when you have plastic pipes as opposed to metal ones. However, you are likely going to have to call in a professional plumber to take care of this problem.
If water is not coming to the dishwasher, you most likely have a blockage somewhere. You will need to turn off the water supply and remove the hose that leads to the dishwasher. After securing the hose, turn the water back on. See if it feeds into a bowl. If not, then you must find the block where it is at which may include removing more piping.
A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. This method should clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Keep your bathtub drain running well by pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain each month. Plug up plumbing licence and allow the chemical reaction to occur. After giving the mixture time to work, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. This should help clear your pipes of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Beware of black water in your toilet tank. Chances are, the color is caused from too much magnesium or iron in your water. Although this is usually harmless, it can be annoying for some people. If it is iron or magnesium in your water, the only way to fix it is by filtering the water.
If you get grout stuck in the plumbing, it's going to be very difficult to remove by yourself. Do your best to break it up and flush it down. This works better with plastic than metal pipes. However, usually you will need the services of a professional to get rid of this problem.
If you're removing clean out plugs and you're unsuccessful, you can use two methods to do it successfully. The first way is to get a chisel and a hammer and try to jostle the fitting loose. Your second option is to simply chisel through the plug itself.
Be sure to have a running toilet fixed as soon as you can. Having a running toilet uses more water, which raises your water bill. To fix it yourself, you just have to find out what the problem is and buy the supplies you need. If you can't fix it yourself, call a plumber.
If your water bill seems unusually high and you haven't changed your water usage, the problem is most likely in the service line. The cost to hire a professional to find and repair the service line most often is far greater than installing a new line and then having the old one shut off permanently.
Learn Even more Here should only be done by professionals if there is a major problem or if you do not understand plumbing. Many of the big problems that plumbers deal with, actually have simple solutions. The average person, who does not understand the intricacies of plumbing, usually end up compounding the problem by causing other costly damage to the house during the failed repair. The plumber will need to be called in the end, anyway.
If you 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.
Avoid flushing cotton balls, cotton swabs and any feminine sanitary products down the toilet. Even small panty liners can cause big problems because their adhesive backing can stick to pipes and cause stoppages. Keep a small, covered wastebasket next to the toilet to encourage guests to properly dispose of used sanitary articles.
Many people complain of low water pressure. While there are several things that can cause this, one must not be overlooked when starting your investigation. What kind of pipes do you have? If your piping is galvanized, you are better off just replacing your piping which will eliminate the issue.
Hopefully, now that you've read the above tips, the fine art of plumbing is a little less scary to you. Remember what you've learned here, so that you can put in practice when you need to. Also, remember that when all else fails, a plumber is just a speed dial number away.
