Doing your own plumbing repairs can have many benefits. You can save money by not having to call a plumber and pay for their labor. You can also gain a sense of accomplishment by learning new skills and completing tasks yourself.In this article you will find a few ideas that you could find to be very handy.
Do not put cooking oils fat or grease down your drain. These fats cause clogs by solidifying in pipes. To properly dispose of fats put them in a bowl with a lid that you can dispose of. Once it gets hard throw it in the trash or compost bin.
Dont let your house temperature drop to below freezing and make sure to insulate anything that is exposed to the outside elements to prevent frozen pipes. Pipes can freeze when the ambient temperature in the area of the pipes dips below freezing. It can take a while for the pipes to thaw which means you will not be able to run water for quite some time. On the other hand they can burst which gets messy and really expensive.
If you have a clogged drain dont use cleaning chemicals to try to clear the clog. These harsh chemicals can corrode your metal pipes leading to leaks and broken pipes over time. Instead stick to a plunger or make use of a plumbing snake to clear them.
You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. 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.
Your water heater works more during the fall and winter so make sure that you eliminate all sediment buildup around this piece of equipment. Flushing this device can lead to increased longevity so that you do not face plumbing problems during the winter. This precaution will save time money and effort.
Take advantage of the information that you can obtain from the department or division of your state government that handles consumer affairs and protection when you are thinking of hiring a plumbing contractor. This will allow you to be sure that they are properly licensed and that they have not received a ton of complaints from previous clients. A contractors license must be in good standing and current for you to even consider him.
If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. These cleaners employ helpful bacteria which process the sludge lining your pipes and turn it to liquid. The enzyme cleaners typically are the best things you can find on the market.
Ask before the plumber comes out if they charge for the consultation. In order to quote a project the plumber has to come out to inspect your particular issue. It is standard to charge for the consultation appointment but the prices can vary wildly. Ask upfront so that you arent surprised by the total.
In conclusion it is important that you know how to take care of plumbing but it is more important that you get your data from a reliable source. Use the great advice provided here and you will be more than happy that you took the time to do so.