Water damage to your house is the most costly to fix. This is frequently caused by problems with your plumbing that had escaped detection. A small leak can develop into a big problem over time. By the time you notice water on your walls or on the the floor, the damage to your home has already been done. The best remedy is to prevent plumbing problems before they even start. This article will provide some advice that you can use.
Clogged pipes are a common cause for many plumbing problems. You should never dispose of anything down your sink if the content has debris of any type. Your sink is not a place to dispose of garbage unless it is your kitchen sink that has a garbage disposal. Even then, you have to be careful of what you put into the disposal.
There are many things that can clog your pipes. When you wash your hair in the shower, it is natural that some hair falls out. This hair accumulates in the drain and clogs it up. In your kitchen, food debris is the most common cause for pipe clogs. Oil looks like a liquid, but it should never be poured down the sink, because it can gel and cause clogs in your pipes. Beware of disposing any type of soft material that has an adhesive nature. This will just stick to the side of the pipes and cause problems.
It is a good idea to clean your drains periodically with a drain cleaner that is formulated for the purpose. Avoid harsh cleaners that are corrosive because that will lead to major pipe damage. When you have a clog, see if you can clear the clog by using an auger to fish out the materials. You can also try using a plunger to see if you can force the clogged materials down the drain. If that is not possible, then try using using a chemical drain opener. However, do not overuse that method. If the drain still does not open after a couple of applications, you should call the plumber.
As soon as you notice a leak, you should get it repaired properly right away. Small leaks can become big ones if you do not attend to them quickly. If you have a drippy faucet drip, you not only waste a lot water, but you risk having that drip get bigger and bigger. Leaking pipes should be mended properly to prevent pipe bursts.
When the winter season approaches, you will to take precautions to prevent pipe bursts from water frozen inside the pipes. Wrap your pipes with insulation to prevent water from freezing. You may also want to allow a very small drip of water come through your pipes to keep the water flowing inside.
If you spend some time learning about how your plumbing system works and taking precautionary measures to maintain it, you can avoid a lot of costly plumbing repairs. Remember the tips in this article to keep your house free of plumbing problems.