Commercial Plumbing Home
Everything Your Plumber Doesn't Want You To Know
Did you know that you run the risk of freezing your plumbing pipes if you have any rooms that are not heated? This can sometimes come unexpectedly because you expect the adjoining rooms of your house to stay warm enough. For this and other plumbing tips read the rest of this article.
Before starting any plumbing project be sure to turn off the main water supply. Water damage can be one of the most expensive things to repair. To minimize damage turn the main water supply off as well as any shut off valves near where you are working. This will save a great deal of hardship later on.
Frozen and bursting pipes from harsh winter weather is a problem that no-one wants so plan now to winterize your exterior faucets and pipes against freezing conditions. A simple way to accomplish this is to find the exterior water shut-off valve located inside your home (often located in the basement). Turn off the water valve to stop water flow and then open up the outside faucets to drain out any water that has collected. Be sure to turn off the outside water faucets tightly after the water has drained out. Take in any hoses you may have outside so they don't crack from the cold weather.
On very cold winter nights allow your faucets to trickle slightly especially if your pipes are located in a crawlspace. The running water prevents the pipes from freezing as quickly as they would otherwise. You can catch the water and use it for other household needs to prevent wasting it.
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.
Keep your bathtub in good shape by using a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down its drain monthly. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place. Wait for a little while and then allow boiling water to go down the drain. This process should open up the pipes by clearing out hair build-up and soap scum.
Make sure that you disconnect all hoses outside your house when the fall season hits. This is important to reduce the chance of freezing which can cause damage to the connecting pipes. Disconnect all of your water hoses and store them safely to put your family in the best position for the fall.
When plunging a drain to attempt to remove a blockage first make sure that the drain is completely covered in water. This helps to form a seal. Then plunge at least fifteen to twenty times before stopping. Repeat the process two to three times. If this doesn't work try a chemical drain cleaner.
When you wash your hands be sure that you have not left any soap on the faucet handles. What people do not know is that leaving soap on these fixtures can cause fixtures to corrode. Just take two seconds after you are done washing your hands to remove excess soap from the handles
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.
Try to limit the amount of hair that goes down your drains. Hair can become tangled up in the pipe and end up blocking up the them preventing water from flowing smoothly. Buy a cheap screened drain cover to put over your drain to stop any hair from going down and clean it off regularly.
Check with the Department of Consumer Affairs when shopping for a good plumbing contractor. There you can check on their license to see if it is valid and also if there is any consumer complaints against the contractor. If their license is questionable or expired you wont want to hire them to do work for you.
Keep an eye on the grout between tiles in your bathroom. Watch for cracks and areas where the grout seems to be falling out and repair them immediately. Small grout crack issues can be easily repaired by pulling out the bad and putting in new grout. Allow any new grout to dry completely before exposing it to water.
Is your shower pressure weak due to clogging of the openings in your shower head? Here is a simple and cost-effective tip to take care of that problem. Pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag place it over the shower head and twist tie it into place so it can soak overnight. In the morning remove the plastic bag and use an old toothbrush to scrub off the mineral deposits which are clogging the openings. This will help to restore water flow and increase shower pressure.
Protect you plumbing pipes! If you live in an area which has cold winters and are leaving your home for an extended amount of time protect your plumbing while you are gone! Shut off the main water valve! Drain the system of water by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Also make sure that you have left some heat on in the house! Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are you searching for a simple tip to inspect your home for slow leaks in your plumbing system? Simply take a reading on your water meter before bedtime. Upon waking the next morning without using any water overnight take another reading. If the reading has changed you will know that somewhere in your plumbing system you have an undetected slow leak.
Every so often you should check your toilet for leaks. A good way to check for leaks would be to put food coloring Kool-Aid or even coffee in the tank anything that will color the water will work. You should check your toilet bowl in a little bit and if there is color in the bowl your toilet is leaking and the stopper and/or flush valve may need changed.
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 was discussed at the beginning of the article while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article and youll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.
