Great Tips And Tricks For Plumbing Fixes
If you’re a homeowner and have had to call a plumber to fix a problem, you know how expensive and annoying it can be. Wouldn’t it be great if you could improve your plumbing yourself? Well, it might be easier than you think! Read on to find out how.
When choosing a plumber, make sure he is insured and licensed. This is very important. If there is a plumbing emergency, you want to make sure the plumber has met the state’s training requirements. If he is insured, this covers any accidental damage done while fixing your plumbing. This is required for most plumbing services such as bathtub repair, water heater repair, kitchen sink repair, clogged toilet repair and more.
To avoid clogs, pay attention to what you flush. Sanitary napkins, thick toilet paper, and baby wipes should never be flushed. These items can expand and cause a clog or get caught on a pipe. Instead, dispose of them in a sanitary way that does not involve flushing them down the toilet.
Before you start a plumbing project, you should tighten all of the easily accessible pipes, 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 if there is a clog, so the excess pressure released does not break a flexible tube.
To help you find a good plumber, you should get recommendations from people whom you trust. Asking a friend or a neighbor is usually more trustworthy than picking a random plumber out of the phone book. It would help if you had a competent plumber. Otherwise, you could be in for a much bigger problem down the road.
To winterize a house that will sit unused during the winter months, you must completely drain all of the pipes. After turning off the main water supply, let all of the water drains from the faucets, toilets, and water heater (turn off the gas). Add a quart of antifreeze to sinks and the tub to prevent water from freezing in the drain trap.
You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before leaving your home. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.
Make sure overflow holes are cleaned out. This can help to prevent any water damage. Overflow holes are a way to stop water from overflowing if a sink is left on by accident. If the overflow hole is clogged, it will not be able to do its job.
Use a strainer over your sink drain to catch food and other bits of material. Otherwise, you will likely get a clogged drain. The strainer in the kitchen sink should be cleaned each time you have large particles trapped in it. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.
Got a leaky pipe? In many cases, you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a joint is leaking, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of the pipe, you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof tape to the selection of a line where there is leakage. Before using the tape, make sure the pipe is thoroughly dry. Ensure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in the line.
As you can see, solving your plumbing problems yourself can be a satisfying way to save money and take care of your house independently. Next time you have a plumbing problem, you’ll be ready to tackle the issue yourself with the tips you’ve taken from this article.