Professional plumbing is often a very expensive service and usually the work that is done is something that any homeowner could solve fairly easily with the proper knowledge and tools. If youd like to start learning to solve your own plumbing problems read on to see what you can do.
To prevent the pipes from freezing it is advisable to seal off air vents cracks and access doors. In order to keep the heat in and the cold out you can try using insulation or caulk. In the event a leak occurs make it a point to remind everyone where the master circuit breaker is so it can be shut off immediately.
Use the sounds you hear from your pipes to help you to determine what they problem is. Certain sounds mean the water pressure is too high. Other sounds can signify loose pipes or slight clogs from calcium or iron build up. Listening to your pipes can save you a lot of money hunting down the problem.
If you have issues with the plumbing making a hammering sound when you turn it off check your water pressure. Any time your water pressure is above 80 PSI you will hear extra water noise. This can be easily solved by the installation of a pressure-reducing valve which can be done by most homeowners.
If your water is coming out black then most likely you have an iron and magnesium issue to your water. You need to contact a water softener company and get them to come out and assess your water. They will be able to fix the problem by adding a water softener.
Got a leaky pipe? In many cases you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a joint is leaking tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of pipe you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof tape to the section of pipe where there is leakage. Before applying the tape make sure the pipe is thoroughly dry. Make sure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in the pipe.
Clean your dryers lint trap. This saves you from potential problems including the prevention of fires. Make sure that you inspect the lint trap for any holes or tears that might mean lint is going to your pipes which might lead to clogs and other problems to deal with.
To be successful in any plumbing project make sure you turn the water off before you start unscrewing pipes. This tip might actually sound insulting but you are probably getting caught up in having the right tools and parts and being dressed right. Double check that there is not a splash waiting for you. Then triple and quadruple check.
When searching for a good plumber you should always check references. It is easy to just go with the lowest price but you have to do your research and make sure the plumber has a good reputation with the people they have done work for in the past so you do not get a bad plumber.
Now you should be much more prepared when it comes to plumbing. If you thought that you were ready before well you should now be an expert! The tips that were given should have provided you some advice that can help you get started with maintaining and fixing your own plumbing.