Working on your own plumbing can be a little confusing. There are many things you have to consider, from tools to regulations and everything in between. Continue reading to find all the knowledge you’ll need to fix your own plumbing and even install new fixtures!
To deal with a frozen pipe, turn on the faucet closest to the pipe. This gives the water a place to exit as the pipe defrosts. This assists you in relieving pressure within the pipe, and could stop any bursting from occurring, which can prevent additional damage to your home.
If your washing machine’s drain stack overflows, snake it with a regular pipe snake. This can be caused by things that go through your wash and eventually build up in your pipes.
Whenever you have plumbing work that needs to be done, you should schedule all problems at one time. While you may be tempted to call the plumber whenever you have a slight problem, scheduling it all at once gives you the opportunity to save money to pay for the repairs. Most plumbers charge an hourly fee that can be minimized if there is only one visit to your home.
Lint Trap
Be sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap. This will save a ton of trouble for you, it will also prevent fires. 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.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground. As you do, see if the floor lacks sturdiness or feels otherwise soft. When you have a problem like this to deal with, the earlier you detect it, the less expensive it will be to take care of.
You should make sure that the holes are not stopped up on the overflow. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. It’s easy to maintain your plumbing, in this regard. When you’re performing periodic checks, simply clear any overflow holes while checking for other potential problems.
Make sure you use only non-abrasive cleaners like laundry detergent or liquid dish washing soap on your fiberglass sink or bathtub. Not only do these cleaners remove the risk of abrading your surfaces, they are also safe for your pipes.
Many people aren’t well-versed in plumbing, and choose to pay whatever the plumber is asking for. If you are a homeowner, then you should be sure to educate yourself enough to at least understand what a professional is doing. This will make sure that you aren’t ripped off.
While you may not always have your choice of plumbers, you can use the Internet to research and review plumbers in your area. If your insurance provider has set up the appointment, check the company website to see customer reviews and feedback. This allows you to have some information before they arrive.
The tips above should have helped you understand plumbing better and make it less intimidating. There are, however, certain basics that you must understand. Once you’ve done a little research, gotten a little practice, and used a little common sense, it will be easy to figure out how to tackle a plumbing job and get it done successfully.