Did you know that you can use the same antifreeze that you use in your car to help prevent your home plumbing from freezing? To find out how and why, as well as other great tips for how to maintain your home plumbing, read the following article right away.
When choosing a plumber make sure he is insured and licensed. This is very important. If there is a plumbing emergency, you want to make sure the plumber has met the training requirements of the state. If he is insured, this covers any accidental damage done while fixing your plumbing.
On very cold winter nights, allow your faucets to trickle slightly, especially if your pipes are located in a crawlspace. The running water prevents the pipes from freezing as quickly as they would otherwise. You can catch the water and use it for other household needs to prevent wasting it.
While it may seem like a seemingly harmless thing to do, never run potato peels through your garbage disposal. plumbers union make up of this seemingly harmless food allows the potato to turn into a thick, viscous substance that can wreak havoc on the disposal itself, with the potential to render it completely useless.
If grout is stuck in your plumbing, getting rid of it is likely not going to be a do it yourself project. You can try to break it up to send it on down the line. Having plastic pipes rather metal pipes will work a lot better. You might have to get a professional to get rid of this issue.
If you have issues with the plumbing making a hammering sound when you turn it off, check your water pressure. Any time your water pressure is above 80 PSI, you will hear extra water noise. This can be easily solved by the installation of a pressure-reducing valve, which can be done by most homeowners.
Don't start any do-it-yourself plumbing project without having a plan in place. You need to know beforehand exactly what you are getting yourself into. Know what kind of space you are working with and what lines are which. Getting a clear picture early on will make your plumbing project go a lot smoother!
Check your gas water heater periodically to make sure the pilot flame is lit. The correct color for this flame should be blue. The tip of the flame should be yellow. If you find that you are only seeing a yellow flame, you may need to call a professional for safety reasons.
Everyone in your home should know where the main water shut off valve is. By knowing where to find this valve, you'll be able to shut off the water in the event a pipe bursts, a bathtub or toilet overflows or any other emergency that requires you to turn off the water.
If you have a lot of hair in your shower drain, be sure to get a stopper and put it in the drain. This will catch the hair from going down the drain, which can clog it. Just make sure that you remove hair that is already in the drain before using the stopper.
When having a consultation about a job with the plumber, take the opportunity to get to know them andtheir business better. Ask about their experience with the type of job that you are wanting to have done. Being comfortable with your contractor is important. They may be spending significant amounts of time in your house depending on the complexity of the job. You want to be convinced that they're up to the task.
When the time comes and you need the assistance of a plumber, the DCA can supply you with excellent records for review or reference. Make sure that every plumber you're considering has an up to date license, and investigate whether they have outstanding negative complaints. Do not hire a plumber with a license that is not in good standing.
If the pipes have burst in an upstairs area, use a tool to perforate the ceiling underneath in several places and places pots and pans under to catch the water. If this is not done, the weight of the accumulating water could cause a collapse of the entire ceiling.
If you have a leak and your water bill is going up, there is a method you can try before you call a professional. You can use the red-dye system to detect whether the leak is above ground, underground, or whether it has anything to do with the toilets.
One way to prevent water heater problems is to turn down the heat. As long as the water is still as hot as needed for showers and washing dishes, turning it down won't hurt anything, and will extend the life of the heater. Holding very hot water can corrode the inside.
If you have a plumbing nightmare and your house gets flooded, avoid using heat and heat lamps to dry the property out. Let it dry naturally if you can because the additional heat can cause problems. When building materials dry too fast, they can warp and crack causing more damage than just the water.
Make sure you shut off your main system before leaving your house for a few weeks. The water will stay in the pipes, but this should prevent any further damages in case a leak starts while you are away. Check that your shut-off valve is working properly before you leave.
If you are seeing areas in your ceiling or walls that appear to have water damage or are sagging, make sure you turn off the power before inspecting. Electricity and water do not mix. The last thing you need is to go into the attic and get shocked by a pool of water.
With the proper knowledge, you can accomplish plumbing tasks, if you take the time to learn and perform all of the steps correctly. Now that you have the information that you need, in order to accomplish your plumbing needs, don't waste any time trying to fix your plumbing problems.
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