Plumbing For Dummies: Some Top Tips

TIP! Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Doing this prevents any sediment from getting built up within the tank, which causes a backup in your home or causes your entire septic system to fail.

Welcome to the complex world of plumbing! You may already know that there are plenty of techniques to use to make plumbing easier. Plumbing is a personal issue when dealing with home improvement, oftentimes making it seem somewhat difficult to find a solution that works for you. This article will provide you with the information you need to get started on your own plumbing projects.

TIP! Do not pay anything until the problem is fixed. You may have to put money down before they start working, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done.

If your pipes are so noisy that they sound like squeaking or hammering, you can easily solve this problem. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. Call a plumber to help with pipes that require you to cut a hole in a wall, ceiling or floor.

TIP! You need to know your plumbing tools as well as how they are used so your plumbing efforts are always positive. 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.

Avoid bleach tablets, blue toilet deodorizers or the other odor removers inside your toilet. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.

TIP! Don’t use any colored tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. While they may make your toilet smell pretty, they can erode the rubber parts in the toilet and cause it to stop working.

Check for softness in your floor to determine flood damage. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground. As you do, see if the floor lacks sturdiness or feels otherwise soft. You can save money by noticing and treating this problem as early as possible.

TIP! Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. Put a foot on each side of the toilet and put weight on each side, if you have any give you may have damage.

Place a strainer over the drains to collect anything that could clog and cause stoppage. You should clean your kitchen sink’s strainer every time there is a large particle that’s trapped in it. Kitchen filters should be changed often, while bathtub filters can be changed as needed.

TIP! Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. These substances will harden as soon as they cool down, and clog your drains.

Do not put any oil, fat, or greasy foods or products in your sink. When they cool, they’ll harden and clog your drain. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. Be sure to get rid of oil products away from your sink.

TIP! A great way to knock out your plumbing issues in one shot is to schedule everything at once. You might be tempted to have a plumber come out for every little thing that happens, but kicking the can on some issues until you have a list means you can save a few bucks.

Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. It can be tempting to call a plumber each time you have a minor problem, but saving plumbing work for one time allows you to put money aside for the repairs. This will cut down on your plumbing bill because they can not charge you for extra trips.

TIP! Installing more efficient shower heads can save you tons of money on your energy bill. Energy efficient shower heads can save you money on your energy bill and water bill.

If there is unwanted water draining into the dishwasher, it is most likely because of the hose to the kitchen sink being installed improperly. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch — start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won’t be an issue.

TIP! To lessen the chances of toilet problems, do not use as a place to put trash. Under no circumstances flush cotton balls or swabs, paper towels, diapers, sanitary pads or other materials that will not dissolve.

To limit toilet problems, don’t use it as a trash can. Nothing should be flushed down the toilet except human waste and toilet tissue. Flushing sanitary napkins, diapers, disposable napkins, and other materials is a sure recipe for a clogged drain and a backed-up toilet. Also, you want to use the least amount of toilet paper to clean yourself.

TIP! Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there.

In the plumbing world, many techniques exist to improve your current system. Although there are methods and techniques available to enhance any home’s plumbing system, not all of these methods and techniques are appropriate for every home. Think of these tips as a starting point in acquiring plumbing skills.

Many people are interested in more information, but are unsure of how to learn more. Thankfully, this piece has given you information to help you do it. Just put all this advice to good use.