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Plumbing Tips To Help You With Your Needs
Plumbing Tips To Help You With Your Needs
Simple plumbing issues can not only hurt the image of your home but they can destroy your wallet. Simple things from clogged drains to more advanced leaks can be incredibly destructive. Don't fret however! With a few essential tips for the do it yourself home plumber you will be ready to take care of any issue.
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.
If you are paying someone else to do the plumbing in your home be sure that they are licensed in your state to do that work. Some people who have little or no knowledge of plumbing will try to pass themselves off as a pro. So you can see the importance of checking to see if your plumber is licensed. You should also see if you can find positive testimonials about the plumbers work.
Many shower heads are available that can help you to save money on your water bill. Showers and baths are responsible for the bulk of your hot water usage. When you install an energy-efficient shower head you will reduce your homes water consumption which means money left in your pocket.
DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.
Basic problems with toilets can be a quick fix for even the rawest amateur plumber and is worth attempting if you can take the time to research the problem. Seek out the necessary part or parts from your local hardware store and ask for support in how to properly install them.
DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.
You can remove unsightly mineral buildup from your shower head by soaking it in vinegar overnight. This loosens the deposits and in the morning you only need to wipe off the residue with a rag. If your shower head is high up an not removable place vinegar in a plastic bag slip the bag over the shower head and hold in place with a twist tie.
Garbage disposals are a common cause of plumbing problems which is an easy problem to solve. Don't just put everything down the disposal or treat it like a second trash can. Use the disposal things that would be difficult to dispose of normally. Putting all leftover food down the sink is a good way to produce clogs.
One way to avoid a common plumbing problem is to make sure never to flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down a toilet. Other things made of paper like tissues paper towels and the like do not dissolve the same way toilet paper does and can get stuck.
Be sure to clean your dryers lint trap. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems including fires. Regularly check your dryers lint trap to see if it has any tears or holes that could potentially damage your dryer and clog up your plumbing.
Make sure your toilet is not leaking. Drop a few food coloring drops inside your toilet tank to test for leaks. If you then see colored water in the toilet bowl shortly after you know a problem exists that needs tended to.
If water is flowing out from where your meter is located a professional is required to come out and fix the leak. If your water bill goes up this is most likely because the leak is on the house side of the water meter. You will need to get a professional to come out and fix the leak.
Tank-less water heaters are a great space saving alternative to traditional tank units. They are available in many models some for indoors and some models are capable for outdoor mounting. Tank-less water heaters are known as great money savers when it comes to your water bill.
As the weather turns frosty make sure faucets outside are not dripping or leaking. If water is continually dripping you need to make some repairs on your own before the temperature drops below freezing. If your pipes freeze no matter what they are made of water pressure may make them crack. Even the most minute crack can cause a big enough leak to create flooding or water damage and mold in your home.
When leaving on vacation or leaving your vacation home be sure to turn off the main water before you leave. If something happens while you are gone you can cause some serious damage from a flooded basement or a broken pipe in the wall that leaks for weeks until you return.
To clear mineral deposits from your showerhead try a soak in white vinegar. Simply add a cup or two of vinegar to a plastic bag and tape it around the showerhead ensuring that it is submerged. Leave the bag on for an hour and the vinegar will dissolve the mineral build-up allowing water to gush through like it was when it was new.
Homeowners in colder climates where snow and freezing is the norm should insulate all basement plumbing pipes with foam to help keep hot water hot and prevent pipes from sweating in the warmer weather. Properly insulated pipes save money on hot water heating costs and greatly reduce the chance of frozen pipes in the winter.
As you can see maintaining and repairing your own plumbing isn't as difficult as it may appear at first glance. It just requires doing research getting documents in order and asking a lot of questions. The work will pay off once you see how it can help save you money.
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