It is a common occurrence after you purchase a home to eventually see plumbing problems start to crop up. A lot of the time, problems start in the kitchen or bathroom. Plumbing issues can be extremely expensive, especially if they are not handled immediately. Following is some advice to guide you when that occurs.
If you have a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This helps decrease any pressure in order to prevent burst pipes. A burst pipe can create damage that is expensive to repair.
Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used in your toilet. Both of these may help to eliminate odors from your toilet, but it can also damage the rubber parts of your toilet, causing it to not function probably, or even to break down completely.
If your toilet gets clogged, your plunger is not fixing it, and your water level inside of the toilet appears low, you can sometimes fix the problem by dumping warm water into your toilet at waist level (or maybe even a little higher). If the water goes down to a lower level again, then you should repeat the procedure.
You should put a strainer over your drains to catch anything that could clog your drain up. You should clean your strainer in your kitchen anytime you have anything in it. The ones in your bathtub should also be cleaned frequently, as needed.
Avoid putting grease, fat, and other oils down your drain. They can clog your drains once they cool down. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Make sure you dispose of oils away from the sink.
However, if you mix a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda and send them down your tub’s drain each month, the flow will keep going smoothly. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. Your pipes will soon be clear of accumulated hair and soap scum.
Regularly check your overflow holes to make sure they’re not clogged. Overflow holes catch the excess water from an overflowing sink. They may not sound like a matter of great importance until you actually need them. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.
You can save a lot of money in your energy bills by putting in efficient shower heads. Energy efficient shower heads can save you money on your energy bill and water bill. Installing the energy-efficient heads, you will be able to save in excess of $100 per year.
Homeowners cause themselves a disservice by not having a little plumbing knowledge prior to a plumbing problem. All homeowners should know the basics of plumbing. If you ever experience plumbing problems, the above advice can help you to solve them calmly and with confidence.