Simple plumbing issues can not only hurt the image of your home but they can destroy your wallet. Simple things from clogged drains to more advanced leaks can be incredibly destructive. Dont fret however! With a few essential tips for the do it yourself home plumber you will be ready to take care of any issue.
Check the filters in your furnace regularly. If these filters have not been cleaned or replaced recently they may become clogged. This will affect how well your furnace is able to work meaning that you may not have enough heat during the winter. Take this simple step as soon as the weather starts to become cold.
Install screen traps or drain covers on all of your sinks and tub drains. Most home plumbing calls are about clogged pipes. These can be caused by debris especially hair washing down the drains. Putting in a trap means that you can clean this debris off before it ends up in the pipes.
Certain things shouldnt go into your plumbing system. By knowing what you can and cannot flush or throw into the garbage disposal and sink you can save yourself from a costly repair or disaster. A plumber can usually get your plumbing back into working condition but can be avoided if you know how to dispose of items correctly.
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.
When you replace your shower head be sure that the replacement head is high quality. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. Cheap shower heads can break much more easily.
Sometimes you have to make the choice between replacing or repairing. If you have an old appliance that uses a lot of water or electricity it may be best to replace. Sure it will cost more initially but it will save you money in the long run. The other thing is you cant be sure how well a repair will work out whereas with a new appliance youll at least get a guarantee.
If you have a lot of hair in your shower drain be sure to get a stopper and put it in the drain. This will catch the hair from going down the drain which can clog it. Just make sure that you remove hair that is already in the drain before using the stopper.
One of the ways that you can improve the functionality of your shower head is to clean the mineral deposits from the surface. Unscrew your shower head and soak it in vinegar overnight. In the morning brush off the deposits with a toothbrush to help the flow of water for your showers.
In conclusion there is a lot that you can easily do in your own home when it comes to dealing with plumbing issues. Hopefully you learned a few things and will be able to act on them. Use this advice today and be confident in all of the plumbing work that you do.