Don't Let Plumbing Issues Be A Bother
The difference between taking care of your own plumbing issues and hiring outside help is incredible when it comes to your cash flow. Why not see if you can do some of the jobs yourself? Or at least become a little more knowledgeable on the subject. Here are some useful facts and tips.
If you have pipes that sound as if they're squeaking or hammering, it's an easy fix. You must anchor all exposed pipes. You may need to hire a professional to help with any projects involving pipes that are hidden in the floors, ceiling or walls.
Act quickly if your pipes freeze! Shut off the water and open the faucet, enabling it to drain when it thaws. Starting with the faucet, and working your way to the iced-up area, aim a propane torch or hairdryer at the pipe - this will quickly defrost it. You could also wrap the pipe in a heating pad or aim a heat lamp at it, but this will take quite some time. A last resort is to wrap the pipe in rags and pour boiling water over it.
Ensure that everyone in your household knows how to turn off the main water supply, or knows how to contact someone who can. In the event of a burst pipe or other water-related emergency, you should immediately turn off the water to prevent flooding, structural damage, and a sky-high water bill.
Be careful about using liquid clog cleaners. These liquids can contain chemicals that are extremely bad for your pipes. Instead, use a snake or a plunger to dislodge any clogs you might encounter. Be sure to try these things before giving up and calling a plumber, who will probably re-perform those same acts.
It is important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.
Stay away from drain cleaners! The chemicals in these type of cleaners are corrosive, and they could damage your pipes by using them too much. If you believe your drain is seriously clogged, have a professional plumber examine the line.
To be successful in any plumbing project, make sure you turn the water off before you start unscrewing pipes. This tip might actually sound insulting, but you are probably getting caught up in having the right tools and parts and being dressed right. Double check that there is not a splash waiting for you. Then triple and quadruple check.
Prevention is the key to keeping your plumbing repair bills down. Clogged drains are one of the more common issues when it comes to plumbing problems. Built up hair can actually clog drains. Put drain covers over your bathtub and sink drains to keep loose hair from going down the drain or into your pipes. Make sure you clean the hair from the screen regularly. This should be much easier than cleaning a drain.
During the winter months, your water heater works the hardest. To keep it in optimum condition, flush it out before winter arrives. Flushing the system helps remove the sediment buildup, which causes internal corrosion of your water heater, shortens its lifespan, and reduces heating efficiency. Connect a hose to the faucet near the bottom of the tank and drain several gallons by directing the water into a nearby drain.
When chilly weather approaches, it is time to disconnect your water hoses from your outside faucets. If you forget to do this, water in the hoses can freeze and expand. This can cause the faucets and the connecting pipes inside your house to freeze and break. By simply rolling up your garden hoses and storing them for the winter, you can help prevent costly plumbing repairs.
Never hire a plumber that is not licensed, insured and bonded. If the plumbing company cannot provide you with reference numbers for their credentials, move on quickly. It is a common question and it should be a no-brainer for them to provide them to you. If they have issues with you asking, take that as a big red flag.
To keep the pipes in your kitchen in tip-top shape, avoid pouring fats or cooking oils down the drain. These liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. As an added protection, wipe congealed grease from pots to further avoid creating clogged drains. By following these tips, you can help avoid a plumbing disaster.
To better the efficiency of the water heater, see what size a tank your household requires. If you are aware of how many people and appliances will be using hot water, you can determine the appropriate capacity.
To be able to get a good plumber you can be comfortable with, remember which of your friends are actual home owners and not renting. At some point, every home owner has had to call in a plumber. They can give you a good personal reference they had a positive experience with.
If you have a leaky faucet, the problem may be mineral buildup. Mineral building can cause you to have a broken seal in your faucet which will cause leaks and make it unreliable. If you've already checked for the most common leak problem which is the washer, looking for buildup is the next possible culprit.
When searching for a good plumber you should always check references. It is easy to just go with the lowest price, but you have to do your research and make sure the plumber has a good reputation with the people they have done work for in the past so you do not get a bad plumber.
If you notice that water has saturated your walls, reach for the shutoff valve and notify a plumber right away. This particular problem is often a sign of a major plumbing issue. Many issues related to this cause mildew and mold, as well as flooding.
Remove all foreign objects from your drain, before you clean the area with chemicals. These objects include all kitchen utensils, fruit pits and certain types of metal objects. These cannot be flushed down your drain and could damage your unit significantly, if you put them through the garbage disposal.
What the article above does is illustrate just how easy it is to make repairs to your home's plumbing. If get more info you use the tips you've read here, you'll be able to solve any emergency and even install your own plumbing for new fixtures without the aid of a professional!
Sudbury plumbers share tips to prevent frozen pipes
Temperatures are set to plunge once again and with the bitter cold, plumbers throughout northern Ontario have been busy dealing with frozen pipes.
It’s an issue that can be very costly if pipes break.
"Roller coaster temperatures have been quite interesting to deal with this year," said Carrie Jean, the owner of Castle Plumbing & Heating.
"Last month has been quite busy we have had very cold nights. At least we get a little bit of a reprieve in the day, but the calls for freezing pipes, no waters, no heats continually come in and it makes it very difficult for our technicians sometimes to keep up and keep Sudbury warm and going."
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X3j2dUMkQqZ4ImAJ3qmoXo7Yp3HIN9bCIShITqsPUPg/edit?usp=sharing