You will often hear that fixing your own plumbing problems is too hard. If you know what to do and have the right tools, you can fix anything. Read this article to learn how to fix basic things.
Check your toilet for leaks. An easy way to determine this is to add a couple drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Keep your eye on the toilet bowl; if you notice colored water, you can safely assume that you are dealing with a leak.
Having to repair pipes that freeze could be very costly. Fortunately, it is usually relatively easy to prevent your pipes from freezing. If you have any pipes outside, have them properly insulated. Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. Doing so can prevent some nasty repair bills a professional plumber would charge you.
If you notice wear and tear on the plumbing system, that means it is probably time for you to replace used parts. Some repairs, of course, can be considered only temporary. You can fix the problems for good with new parts.
Before you have a plumber come out to your house, research their history with your local government consumer affairs department or agency. It is important to verify that they have a valid license and to check on any complaints that may have been made against them. They need to have a valid license, or they should not do any work in homes.
You should avoid using blue toilet tablets, bleach tablets or any other odor removers in your toilet. While these tablets may be an easy way to clean your toilet and hide odors, they also contain chemicals that can break down the rubber fixtures in your toilet. Long-term use of these products can slow or even stop the functioning of your toilet.
If you see puddling water near the water heater, you have to turn water off with the shut off valve as soon as possible. The reason that shutting the water off now is so important is that a smaller leak could easily turn into a larger one, and thus it becomes much harder to deal with.
To prevent frozen pipes, always keep the living spaces in your house above freezing, even if you aren't home. Any exposed pipes need to be insulated against the outdoor temperatures. If the temperature surrounding these pipes is below the freezing point, your pipes could freeze. If you are lucky, you will only experience a minor inconvenience until the pipes thaw. However, frozen pipes commonly break or crack pipes, leading to flooding and costly repairs.
Check for softness in your floor to determine flood damage. Straddle the toilet, then start rocking on each foot to check whether you feel softness or weakening on the floor under you. By noticing a problem early on, you can save yourself a bunch of money if you were to leave it alone.
You have not choice in the matter of what plumber is scheduled sometimes, but you should still research different plumbers online. Though your insurer may determine the plumbing company that will work on your house, you still have the ability to look them up, read customer reviews and prepare for their visit.
Taking preventative measures means you will not have to spend as much on plumbing repairs. Clogs are a big problem with plumbing, and they are quite common. Built up hair can actually clog drains. 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. It's more convenient to remove hair before it has a chance to get down the drain and into the pipes.
Choosing to purchase brass for your plumbing fixtures is an excellent choice if you are going to replace them. The durability of brass fixtures means that they will remain in good condition for many years. Also, brass fixtures give off a much nicer appearance than similar counterparts. Any home repair store is certain to carry brass fixtures.
Stop cleaning a persistent clog with harsh drain cleaners. There are some harsh, corrosive chemicals found in these drain cleaners. That's why they work so well to knock out clogs. Over time, they will corrode your pipes. Consider hiring a professional when you have drain problems.
As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you'll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.
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