If youre a home owner unfamiliar with plumbing youre probably familiar with the experience of being charged an arm and a leg for what seems like a simple plumbing repair. If youd like to avoid this experience again read on for some advice and tips on how to fix your own plumbing.
Solder with safety in mind. When you solder a copper pipe you want to direct the flame on the copper pipe. The flame of the torch has to be four inches away from the piping. The flame should be targeted directly at the point where the copper piping needs to be disconnected.
When concerned with plumbing you need to know what can cause noisy pipes. This is important because it can mean the difference between an annoying noise and flooding in your house. Do your research to distinguish between the different noises and hire a professional if any serious risk is posed.
Solder with safety in mind. When you solder a copper pipe you want to direct the flame on the copper pipe. The flame of the torch has to be four inches away from the piping. The flame should be targeted directly at the point where the copper piping needs to be disconnected.
Be sure that the overflow holes are free of debris. Overflow holes drain sink that fill too full and may go unnoticed until they are needed. Make cleaning debris from the overflow holes part of your regular routine of maintaining your plumbing and checking it for problems and required repairs.
Find out the plumbing codes in your local area before starting any project. Plumbing codes can vary wildly from area to area and you dont want to run afoul of the codes. Visit your local building department to find out information or hire a plumber for a day to help you go over your plans and provide advice.
Check overflow holes regularly to prevent blockage. Overflows holes can be used in the event the sink overfills which is a big problem if they are clogged. Inspect and clean the overflow holes as part of your regular household maintenance.
If you run your garbage disposal after working in the kitchen use a large quantity of cold water. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. Using hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate in the drain which will cause clogs in your pipes.
Before the cold season hits check out the condition of your gutters on the roof of your house. Remove all debris leaves and branches so that you can have a smooth flow of water and easy drainage. Caretaking in advance will help to prevent serious issues with plumbing down the road.
If the hot water heater in your house is over ten years old you should look at replacing it. Hot water heaters are very susceptible to corrosion on the bottom. This can lead to leaking and flooding whatever room it is in. Then not only will you have to replace it but youll have to fix any damage caused by the leak.
Do you have a frozen drainpipe? You can use a garden hose to thaw it out. First of all remove the trap from the drainpipe and insert the hose until it will not go any further. While lifting up the other end of the hose pour hot water down it. Keep pouring hot water down the hose until the drainpipe thaws. To save time with cleanup keep a bucket underneath to catch the water that overflows.
Try to update your internal toilet components from time to time. If you have to hold down the handle for a long time to flush your toilet you may need to replace a worn piece. This improvement will help to save a lot of money on your water bill during the year.
If you have an underground leak in your pipes it is possible to detect the leak before digging. Todays leak detection equipment is very sophisticated and modern allowing technicians to detect and pinpoint exactly where leaks are before they go about trying to fix them with professional grade equipment for you.
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.
If you have an ice maker or other plumbing going to your refrigerator every six months or so pull the refrigerator away from the wall and inspect this plumbing. There should be no condensation or corrosion on these plumbing lines if there is contact a plumber and have them look at it.
If you have unused cooking grease do not pour it down your kitchen drain. The grease or oil can clog your drain and even cause irreparable damage. Instead put the unused grease or oil into a plastic bag. Or you can put the grease into an empty tin can set it in the refrigerator to solidify and then throw it away.
If you are starting a plumbing project due to have discolored water especially black be sure to have your water tested first instead. There could be a mineral build up in your pipes or the source of the problem could be further down the line than you can reach. Most importantly you want to be sure your water is safe for drinking.
In conclusion tackling any plumbing issue does not have to be difficult. If you have the right tools and the right information to assist you you can do any plumbing task that may arise. Simply use the tips that were provided in the article above and your plumbing issues will be a thing of the past.