Plumbers Capilano Heights
Plumbing Problems At Home? Try These Helpful Tips!
Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There are some basic things that you need to know about plumbing systems as well as having the necessary tools to do your own repairs. This article may have a few useful tips and tricks that you can add to your tool belt.
Do not put cooking oils fat or grease down your drain. These fats cause clogs by solidifying in pipes. To properly dispose of fats put them in a bowl with a lid that you can dispose of. Once it gets hard throw it in the trash or compost bin.
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.
It is not always necessary to call in a plumber when you have a damaged section of pipe in your plumbing. There are repair kits you can buy in your local hardware store which are excellent in repairing leaks. If you have a small leak you can rub a compound stick over the hole or crack in the pipe to seal it shut. Epoxy paste is also an excellent remedy for a leaking pipes. Make sure you turn off the water and completely dry the pipe before applying the epoxy.
Group all of your plumbing repairs before scheduling a plumber to come out. Check all of your fixtures and faucets. If anything is dripping running or clogged make a list for the plumber. That way when the plumber comes they can do all of the jobs in one visit. This will cut down on charges.
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.
You should drain all of the water out of the tank of your hot water heater at least once every three to six months. Draining all of the water out of the tank helps to prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment can cause the tank to bang or to heat less efficiently.
Avoid putting grease fat and other oils down your drain. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. As an owner of a garbage disposal this is important because the blades will stop working if they have fat on them. Throw away oils nowhere near the sink.
Some people have problems with their plumbing system in that the pipes sweat and drip condensation. You do not have to hire a plumber to take care of this nuisance. You can purchase self-adhesive drip tape from your local hardware store. This drip tape will insulate your "sweating" pipes which are dripping with moisture built up from condensation. To make sure the tape sticks firmly dry the pipe thoroughly before applying the tape.
Do not overload your garbage disposal. If you need to dispose of large items cut them up into smaller pieces. Also do not put too much in at a time put one or two items in and wait a few seconds to dispose of the rest. Overloading your disposal can cause the engine to overheat.
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 automatic sprinkler system you want to consider getting a spring-loaded timer which can be attached directly to your hose. This prevents your lawn from getting too much water in case you forget to turn your system off. Getting too much water could kill your grass and plants.
Rarely used valves can sometimes fuse together. Use penetrating oil to maintain them and make sure you turn them every once in a while.
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 keep the pipes in your kitchen in tip-top shape avoid pouring fats or cooking oils down the drain. These liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. As an added protection wipe congealed grease from pots to further avoid creating clogged drains. By following these tips you can help avoid a plumbing disaster.
The water heater in your home needs to have regular flushing to its plumbing in order to work properly. There is usually a valve at the bottom of the water heater that a hose can be attached to. Connect a hose to this valve and open it up all the way to flush scale and deposits out of the system.
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.
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.
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.
Plumbing can be a very effective skill to have in your tool belt for whatever needs you may have. You may already know the basics and want to know how to save time and money by doing repairs yourself. No matter your reasons hopefully the tips in this article has given you some ideas.
