Home Plumbing Secrets Your Plumber Doesn't Want You To Know
The cost of bringing in a plumber can be very high. There is no point in wasting your money on projects you can complete on your own. This article will guide you through a few simple secrets your plumber doesn't want you to know.
Before you do anything, locate the main shut-off valve for your water. You need to know where this is ahead of having any problems down the road. If you know where it is, you can quickly shut the water off and avoid huge floods. You can't call the plumber and ask where it is - he won't know either!
If your toilet is running all the time, causing you to have to jiggle the handle, the flap valve needs to be replaced. This is a cheap part to buy, and all you need to do is turn off the water to the toilet, flush it, put in the new flap and then turn the water back on. You can easily save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself.
Always keep your manuals! Whether it is for your washing machine, garbage disposal or dishwasher, they will typically tell you how to fix the problems you're facing. At worst, you will at least know the model number and can look up instructions online. In fact, you may find others on forums who have had to fix the same problem and can give you the advice you need for free.
To avoid having to call the plumber at all, replace any rubber hoses in your home with stainless steel or braided pipes. These are stronger than rubber and will save you flood damage down the road. Rubber pipes are most often found connecting dishwashers or washing machines to metal pipes.
Never, ever hang clothing to dry on exposed pipes! Wet clothes are extremely heavy and can literally pull the pipe down, breaking it. When you have to call the plumber to fix it, you'll be red faced and paying out the nose for repairs.
If you are replacing a toilet seat with metal bolts, a wrench may not do the job. When the bolts are old and rusted shut, you need a hacksaw to get them off. If you try to use a wrench, you may end up injured.
If you do have to call a plumber, find a good one by contacting your local plumbing supply store. They will never steer a customer towards a bad plumber to ensure their reputation remains intact.
When you have to call your plumber, don't do it on Monday. Mondays are the day when wives have to call in professional help to fix the problems their husbands caused over the weekend.
Now that you know these secrets, you are ready to pay less and do more on your own. That means saving tons of money on the cost of a plumber when you just don't need his help. He may be hurting in the pocketbook, but you won't be any longer!
