Being a homeowner comes with lots of responsibility. Aside from paying the bills and being busy with its upkeep, a home can often present you with unexpected problems. Painting or carpet issues can have easy fixes. Plumbing problems can often be more complicated.
When it comes to plumbing, you might think you need an expert to handle every little thing. Before you call in an expert, there are some plumbing tips and tricks that experts and beginners alike should know.
These plumbing tips and tricks, however, might save you the stress of calling for one because you can be preventative and know your way around potential issues.
Whether you’re totally new to the plumbing world and don’t know anything yet or are an expert already, these — in conjunction with our other tips — will keep you on the right path.
10 PLUMBING TIPS AND TRICKS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
1. Never Pour Grease or Oil Down the Drain
Many people think it’s fine to pour grease or oil down the drain. After all, it’s liquid, so it can surely go down the pipes fine — right?
That’s a common misconception, and some good plumbing advice is: don’t! Grease is the cause of 47% of blocked sewage overflows because when you put grease down the drain, it forms a coat on the inside of the pipe. It might take a while for it to cause a problem, but it eventually will.
2. Try to Make Your Main Sewer Drain Accessible
If you have an access point to your main sewer drain, make sure to keep it open and accessible! If any issues do arise, plumbing services may need quick access to that main pipe.
Oftentimes, it isn’t accessible and plumbers have to drill down through the ground or even the floor. If they have easy access not only does it mean less time is taken to reach the emergency, but less damage is left behind.
3. Insulate as Much as Possible
Frozen pipes can cause $5000 of damage or even more. To avoid this, insulate the outside pipelines as much as possible, and try to be aware of when it’s time to be more preventative.
For example, if you live in a state where it regularly hits 20 degrees or less, it’s probably time to step it up a notch, as this is the temperature at which pipes freeze.
4. Avoid Chemical Cleaners
If you have a blockage, you might think one of the best plumbing tricks is to pour a chemical cleaner down the drain. This isn’t the case.
Pouring a chemical cleaner down the drain may get rid of the blockage, but it could also damage the pipes. Chemical cleaners are extremely corrosive and could even cause fumes that are a danger to your pets.
5. Watch What You Flush
You might think cat litter is safe to flush, or certain products that advertise themselves as safe — but even these ‘flush-safe’ products can cause blockages.
As a rule, one of the best plumbing tips is that you should only flush waste and toilet paper! Sanitary products, cat litter, and wet wipes should go straight in the trash and never be flushed through the pipes.
6. Always Check the Showerheads
This is easy to do and will help to prevent leaks. If you already have a water leak, use something called thread tape. Just unscrew the showerhead, use a new tape, then re-attach the showerhead. You won’t be hearing any more dripping in the middle of the night. Once you have the showerhead removed, it’s always a good idea to clean it. Soaking them in vinegar will get any build-up to loosen. Soak the showerheads for approximately one hour.
7. Know Where Your Water Main is Located
There may actually be a time you need to shut off the water to your house, so know where that water main is located. In addition, know where this line runs to and how to turn it off and on again.When replacing large items in your home, such as a toilet, you may need to switch off the main water line. Your main water line may be inside the house or outside in an obscure location, so it’s good to know where it is and how to use it before you need to adjust it.
8. Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses
This is important. Too often, these hoses are ignored. If they dry out and rot, leaks will form. If the water to those hoses is not turned off, you will have a nice leaky mess when you come home from work one day.
Replacing washing machine hoses is easy and will give you added peace of mind. If you have never replaced these hoses, make this one of your first plumbing priorities. Washing machine hoses should be replaced every three to five years.
9. You Can Replace the Small Parts In Your Toilets and Faucets
If you have a leaky toilet, it is most likely due to a worn flapper. These are inexpensive replacement parts that you can purchase and replace easily. Just read the simple instructions and you’re good to go.
As for sinks, you can now fix most faucets by replacing the interior component with a new one. It is nothing more than removing one or two screws to do the replacement.
10. Make Adjustments to Your Water Heater
The thermostat should never be set to the highest level. If you set it a little lower, you will not notice any significant difference.
You might want to insulate the water tank, too. This helps to keep the water hot for longer. You’ll find ready-to-use insulating products in your favorite home improvement store. These fixes are easy and inexpensive to do.
These Plumbing Tips and Tricks Will Keep You Right
These 10 plumbing tips and tricks are meant to save you time and money. Knowing these plumbing tips and tricks could be a real life-saver. Don’t be afraid to use a few basic tools, such as wrenches or screwdrivers to replace parts yourself. If you are not sure what to do about pipes or fittings, however, it’s time to call the plumber. If you’re looking for a trusted plumbing supplies company, contact us today.
Always have a good maintenance schedule for your home. Just as you do Spring cleaning, or organize closets and drawers, employing plumbing tips and tricks on a regular basis can make life much easier and less stressful.
Plumbing problems are a sure thing. Some issues are bigger than others. With regular upkeep and care, you’ll find you are investing less time and money in plumbing problems. There are things beginners and experts alike should know, so get to know the plumbing basics today.