When someone doesn’t know how to fix a plumbing problem it can seem difficult and daunting to even think about it. Professional plumbers can have a wait time, and are very expensive for something that could usually be solved without too much trouble. Keep reading to learn how to easily fix common plumbing problems.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. Pipes will freeze if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing. It can take a while for the pipes to thaw, which means you will not be able to run water for quite some time. The worst case would be that they burst, creating water damage and a big repair bill.
If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.
You do not give the plumber all the money until he is finished with his work. Sometimes plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction. It is a good thing to know the plumber did his job as he agreed to before he get’s all of his money.
You should regularly check for water damage to your bathroom floor caused by your toilet in order to save money and further complications. Feel the floor around the toilet and check to see if the floor is soft, molded, chipping, etc. Sit in a reversed position, putting one foot on each side of the toilet and shift your weight from side to side to check if the floor feels slightly unstable. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. Luckily, you can quickly fix this by adding some water softener to your supply. You can pick up this product at a lot of stores, or have it shipped out to you.
Shower Heads
Swapping out old shower heads for energy-efficient ones can save you money on the energy bill. Most of the hot water we use is in the shower. If you invest in purchasing and installing shower heads that are energy-efficient, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.
A sink hose that is installed incorrectly will lead to water flowing into the dishwasher. You must have the hose going uphill and then down to get rid of the water in the dishwater.
Enzyme-based cleaners are the best bet for unclogging stubborn clogged pipes. These are cleaners that work by using natural bacteria to eat away at your clog, and turn it into a liquid that is then flushed from your pipes. Enzyme cleaners are preferred by many to clear clogged drains.
To reduce your plumbing repair costs, use preventative maintenance measures. One of the most common repairs involves fixing drain clogs. Drains can be clogged by hair. A great way to help prevent those clogs is to install a screen on top of the drain. Just make sure that it properly fits your drain. You can easily clean out the drain covers on a regular basis; it’s harder to remove hair from drains once it’s fallen into them.
Frozen pipes can cause you to incur expensive plumbing repair bills. However, this can typically be prevented. Pipes in crawlspaces or outside your home should be thoroughly insulated. When the temperature dips, you should also make sure your garden hoses are disconnected and that your exterior faucet is shut off. You can save money on plumbing bills by doing this.
If you want to add some water pressure to the shower or any spigot in the home, make sure you clean out the aerator. To clean the aerator, you first want to disassemble the faucet and remove it. After that, remove the aerator and scrub it clean with a fine brush. You can use vinegar or some other type of cleaning solution to assist in the task. Then all you need to do is rinse and reassemble the aerator before putting it back on the faucet. This technique causes the water pressure to rise via the removing of any blockage within the aerator.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!