Saturday, July 7, 2012

Learn How To Solve Plumbing Problems

Unfortunately, most homeowners find that plumbing issues tend to rear their head soon after a new property is purchased. These problems typically occur in bathrooms and kitchens. Every homeowner has to deal with plumbing issues. Below are some great tips so you can be ready when it happens to you.

The clean out plug can sometimes be difficult to remove, and if you are having problems, there are two approaches to fixing this problem The first method is by using a chisel and hammer to try to loosen the fitting. If that fails, you must chisel a hole in the plug.

Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. Most hot water is consumed in our showers. Invest in an energy-efficient shower head and you could save a hundred dollar every year on your water bill.

Over-tightening your pipes can be just as bad or even worse than if you under-tighten it. Over-tightening can strip the threads from the pipe or even cause too much pressure and crack it. Tighten your pipes just enough to stop leaks, no more or no less.

If you've got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. Inexpensive shower heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.

Be sure to insulate pipes that are located in spaces that are cold during winter, such as crawl spaces, attics and exterior walls. You can purchase insulation to wrap perfectly around the pipe. This will keep your pipes from bursting during the winter and also help keep hot water hot as it moves through the pipes.

If you have copper pipe, they might expand slightly as you run hot water through them. This can often times lead to the pipes becoming warped, and not fitting tightly inside the pipe hangers, due to grinding. To prevent this, put a thick layer of tape over the pipe and put it onto the hanger.

If you have any plumbing work that needs to be done, schedule it all to be done concurrently. It might be tempting to call up a plumber every time you have a small problem, but if you will save all the plumbing issues for one time, it can be helpful. It will allow you save the money for the repairs. You can save money by only paying a single service call fee instead of ending up with multiple hours being billed from multiple visits.

Knowing about the tools and how you're supposed to use them may greatly help with your plumbing jobs. Make sure you read all the directions and manuals, while also taking advantage of online resources and the library to help you with your projects. Be sure to plan before starting a repair, because it can be expensive to fix mistakes.

Be extremely careful about unclogging a stopped-up drain using a chemical drain opening product. The chemicals can be damaging to your skin, but will open your drain. If you must use them, wear long sleeves and gloves.

If you have any water in your dishwasher that should not be there, check the connection on your kitchen sink. The hose connecting the sink the the dishwasher should be at an uphill angle and then downhill to prevent the water from mixing.

When you're attempting to determine a problem with your toilet, you should look at the flapper, because it's typically the cause of many problems. Over time, the flapper will degrade, and this may cause leaks. You should first check to ensure the pressure of the chain is right. If the chain isn't the problem, you should replace the flapper due to the fact that it's most likely worn out.

Make sure that you're always cleaning your garbage disposal regularly. Doing this will save you from having to repair or replace an expensive piece of equipment in the future. By having a regular cleaning routine, which includes a combination of lemon rinds, dish soap and even pits from a cherry, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.

Lack of preparation can really cost you in the event of a plumbing problem. Anyone who owns a home needs to have a small arsenal of tools and tips at their disposal, just in case. The tips you have found above should go a long way towards preparing you to deal with a plumbing problem when it occurs.

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