Knowhow-Now Article

Plumbing Tips The Whole Family Should Know

When it comes to owning a home, one of the most common issues that can arise is plumbing. Dealing with a plumbing issue is never fun; however, by ensuring that you and your family are educated on how to handle issues, they do not have to be so stressful. Continue reading to learn some excellent advice on how you and your family can handle any plumbing issue.

Tip: Noisy pipes is an easy do-it-yourself project. Those pipes will need to be anchored if they are exposed.

First, it is important all the people in your house are aware of the location of the main shut-off valve. This valve will quickly turn off the water supply. This can be extremely handy in case of a severe leak that is flooding the house. If you are not home, you need other people to know where this main shut-off valve is. In addition, they need to know how to properly turn it off and back on.

Tip: If you have a water pipe that freezes, have the tap closest to it turned on so the water can exit while the pipe thaws. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, which would reduce the damage done to your house.

You should always be looking for leaks in your plumbing. Even if you do not notice any leaks, that does not mean there isn't a leak. There may be a very small leak, and if you do not spot it, you could end up paying way too much on your water bill. In addition, leaks can cause big problems, such as mold and slowly eating away the floors and walls. Therefore, anytime you notice a leak, you should immediately fix it. Do not procrastinate.

Tip: It is a advisable to have a septic tank pumped every five years to keep it in peak condition. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues.

Clogged toilets are a huge pain; unfortunately, you are bound to experience them from time to time. A clogged toilet can occur for a multiple of reasons, including too much toilet paper without flushing or an object your child or a pet put into the toilet. Regardless of the reason for the clog, it is important that you handle it immediately before the toilet overflows and causes damage to your floors and walls.

Tip: Do not attempt to fix your garbage disposal by reaching in with your hands. Even when the garbage disposal is turned off they can be dangerous.

To deal with a clogged toilet, you should first make sure you only flush one time. If the water does not go down, the toilet is clogged. You should not risk flushing it a second time, thinking that maybe the water will go down. Although this is a possibility, it likely will not go down. This can quickly result in an overflow.

Tip: A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place.

Second, make sure the toilet's faucet is turned off. This faucet is located right beside the toilet. Do not turn off the home's main water supply because your family may need water.

Tip: Look at the overflow holes to ensure they aren't clogged up. You may not even notice the overflow holes on your sink, but if you have a major water leak you will soon regret your apathy.

Third, put on some rubber gloves and attempt to identify the source of the problem. Although digging into the toilet is not ideal, it is necessary so that you know what the problem is. If you can resolve the problem with gloves, do so.

Tip: It is important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Cold water keeps the blades sharpened, giving you optimal performance whenever it is used.

Finally, if necessary, use a plunger. Make sure the plunger is a large heavy-duty rubber one so that you can apply enough pressure. You may need to add a little bit of water to the toilet yourself in order to help the clog go down. If the clog is too deep and you cannot resolve it, then it is time for a professional plumber.

Tip: If you see unwanted water that keeps draining into your dishwasher, the problem is most likely a hose running to your kitchen sink that was not correctly installed. A hose that is properly installed should lead uphill, then downhill, to discourage water from each area from mixing.

Ensure everyone in the family knows the plumber's number. That way, if there are major problems when you are not home, someone will be able to call the plumber so that he or she can resolve any plumbing problems.

By teaching yourself and your family how to deal with plumbing issues, you can be rest assured that your home is safe from plumbing disasters. Make use of the advice presented here to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Comments
Order by: 
Per page:
 
  • There are no comments yet
   Comment Record a video comment
 
 
 
     
Related Articles
“Home sweet home.” Does that describe how you feel about the house or apartment in which you live? Or is your current housing situation simply a place you dwell out of necessity; a place to store your clothes, bathe, eat meals and lay your head at night? If the...
30.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Homeowners never have to dig deep into their pockets to improve the value of their house. They can make significant improvements on an affordable budget, it just takes a bit of skill and decision-making in deciding which projects are the most equitable to the value of...
30.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Chandeliers typically bring to mind images of wealth and grandeur. Once reserved for high-end homes, these traditional light fixtures have recently gotten a modern makeover. Mini-chandeliers, a current trend in the decorating industry, capture the grace and elegance...
29.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
The exterior of your home says a lot about your personal style. Whether the architecture of your house is modern and minimal or detailed and extravagant, choosing the right paint colors can accentuate key details while at the same time creating a beautiful backdrop...
28.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Home improvement projects always start out fun and with a great vision of what will come. Perhaps there is a new child on the way and the parents want to add an extra room to their house or expand then nursery. (...)
27.05.2014 · From TheAuthor
Ads
Article Info
465 Views
0 Subscribers
All Articles by TheAuthor
Sharing Is Good!
Rate
0 votes