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Handy DIY Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner
Handy DIY Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner
Many of us have no idea how plumbing works. Knowing a few simple tips and tricks can help you keep your money in your hands and not that of a plumber. Sometimes it is necessary to call up a plumber but by following a few words of advice you can take preemptive action and stop a problem before it starts.
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 peoples mistakes can make the difference of saving or losing money.
To avoid wasting water and having a potentially high water bill check your home for leaky faucets periodically. Fix any leaks that you find right away. You may be able to do the repair yourself but if not you may have to seek the services of a plumber to make the repairs.
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.
Have you tried patching your pipe with the store-bought patching kits only to have that section of your plumbing continue leaking? Replacing the damaged pipe is a more permanent solution than patching. First you must shut off the main water valve and drain the water from the damaged section. Cut out the damaged section of the copper pipe leaving about an inch of extra pipe on both sides of the damaged area. Remove corrosion from inside the pipes with a wire brush. Apply flux to the replacement pipe and the remaining pipe. Slide the piece of replacement pipe into place with couplings. Apply solder all around the joint and use a propane torch to solder the replacement section into place.
Drain the sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater twice a year to keep the hot water heater working at its optimal levels. Simply open the drain valve and allow the water to run out into a bucket until the water runs clear. Then close the drain valve.
Make sure that any exposed pipes in your home are insulated especially those found in crawl spaces on the outside walls of your home. This will help keep them from freezing and causing you tons of problems. Frozen pipes can often be devastating and leave you with problems that are expensive to fix and no water in the middle of winter.
As you have read there are many different ways to deal with and maintain your own plumbing. You need to find the treatment that works for you. There is a ton of information that can help you get started. By following these tips you are well on your way to doing your own plumbing like a pro.
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