HVAC Contractor Pemberton Heights
Great Plumbing Advice If You've Got Issues
Leaky pipes and backed up water systems can be a serious headache to the homeowner that is faced with dealing with these issues. Beside natural disasters not many other things can cause more destruction to a home than a serious problem with plumbing. The good news is that those who own their homes can take action to safeguard themselves so that issues do not occur.
Look closely at your toilets several times throughout the year. Check to see if there are any leaks that you may not have noticed; you can do this by placing five or six drops of food coloring in the tank. If there is a leak the color will seep into the bowl within half an hour. This process will help you catch a small problem before it gets too out of control.
If a pipe ever freezes you need to make sure to shut off the water. This will keep the pipe from bursting and causing you major damage to your home. Make sure to shut the water off at the main valve and then open the faucet that is closest to the frozen pipe so it can drain while it is thawing out.
In order to keep your garbage disposal in optimal working condition run it on a regular basis. Just a simple 60 seconds per day under cold water can keep it running clean and smooth. If not run regularly your disposal can be susceptible to corrosion that will eventually make it inoperable.
Make sure everyone in your home knows where the main water shut off valve is and that they know how to work it. That way if there is a water problem anyone in your household can turn off the water thereby reducing the chances that your home will incur major water damage.
To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible you should prevent using it like its a trash can. Don't flush items like paper towels sanitary napkins diapers or cotton balls because these items don't break down and may cause clogging issues. Use the least amount of toilet paper you can when you use the toilet too.
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.
Don't run the water while putting food through your garbage disposal. While many people think that running water in conjunction with the disposal will cause it to work more efficiently it simply isn't true. Actually the water can make the garbage stick to the disposal which can lead to more damage.
In the winter months if you live somewhere where temperatures fall below freezing leave your faucets on a little bit to let a thin stream of water through. This will help prevent the pipes from freezing which could be a major problem for you and all the pipes in your home.
Do a routine check around your house each month on each and every faucet to make sure there are no signs of leaks or drips. Over time leaks can add a lot of money to your water bill and will worsen if you do not take care of the problem.
Many people aren't well-versed in plumbing and choose to pay whatever the plumber is asking for. If you own your home you should definitely be sure to learn enough to understand what the professional is accomplishing. If you're armed with knowledge you're much less likely to be ripped off.
Never hire a plumber that is not licensed insured and bonded. If the plumbing company cannot provide you with reference numbers for their credentials move on quickly. It is a common question and it should be a no-brainer for them to provide them to you. If they have issues with you asking take that as a big red flag.
If the water is not going into your dishwasher the first thing you should do is shit off the water under the sink. Chances are that you have some kind of blockage and keeping the water turned on could actually create a bigger problem. To fix the blockage you may need to call a plumber.
During the warm seasons you will see that there will be many bird nests forming in and around your plumbing vent pipes. It is essential to clear these out as they can have a devastating effect on the quality of your plumbing and the flow of water in your home.
Sometimes kitchen sinks can be clogged up due to a slow accumulation of solidified grease. One quick fix for this is to try pouring very hot grease down the sink which will liquefy the grease clogging the drain and carry it down. Water wont work because grease will not dissolve in water.
If you are going to update the plumbing in your house one thing to consider is installing a new tank-less water heater. They are much smaller than traditional tank heaters which is a space-saver. Tank-less water heaters are available in gas or electric depending on what your house needs.
When you are deciding to work on a plumbing project yourself first make a list of all of the tools and items that you could possibly need. After this make sure that you have all of these things close at hand. There is nothing worse than almost finishing a project but not having the correct screw.
Repair a leaky faucet as quickly as possible. Most leaky faucets are caused by a worn or damaged seal which can easily be replaced but you need to attend to it quickly. A slow leak can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day costing a lot of money in the long run. If the faucet is really old sometimes its worth replacing the entire fixture.
Once or twice a year drain a few inches of water from your water heater using the valve located at the bottom. The water may be rusty-looking or brown which is the point of this practice; sediment settles to the bottom of the tank and rests there. Flushing some of this sediment from the tank can extend the lifespan of your hot water heater.
Hopefully this article helped you learn a little bit more about your plumbing and how to stop issues before they start. By learning and knowing like was discussed in this article you can be sure to save a few dollars every year. Plumbing disasters can cost a lot of money so use this advice well!
