Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There are some basic t...

1. Little Leak? Pointer On Ways to Know What You Can Do Or
When You Had to Call A Plumber
Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There are some basic
things that you need to know about plumbing systems, as well as, having the necessary tools to do
your own repairs. This article may have a few useful tips and tricks that you can add to your tool
belt.
The next time you have a clogged drain, avoid the simple solution of dumping drain-clearing
chemicals into the pipes. While this method involves the least amount of effort, the chemicals in
these liquid cleaners are destructive to your piping. Instead, consider using a little bit of elbow
grease with a plunger, snake, or other device designed to clear your clog without chemicals.
If you are paying someone else to do the plumbing in your home be sure that they are licensed in
your state to do that work. Some people who have little or no knowledge of plumbing will try to pass
themselves off as a pro. So you can see the importance of checking to see if your plumber is
licensed. You should also see if you can find positive testimonials about the plumbers work.
Making sure you know all of your problems so you can have them fixed by one plumber visit is very
beneficial. Having them all fixed in one visit takes a lot of money off of your bill because you don't
have to pay for the visit multiple times so make sure you make a list first.
It is not always necessary to call in a plumber when you have a damaged section of pipe in your
plumbing. There are repair kits you can buy in your local hardware store which are excellent in
repairing leaks. If you have a small leak, you can rub a compound stick over the hole or crack in the
pipe to seal it shut. Epoxy paste is also an excellent remedy for a leaking pipes. Make sure you turn
off the water and completely dry the pipe before applying the epoxy.
Try to avoid putting things like fat, oils and grease down the sink drain. When they cool down, they
get hard and that will cause clogs in your sink drains. A garbage disposal can even become clogged
by hardened grease and it will not run at optimum speed and efficiency. Make certain you dispose of
all oils in other places other than the sink.
One of the things that you can do to maximize the security of your home is to seal all of the cracks in
your outdoor faucets. Even a tiny crack can intensify as the season progresses and lead to serious
problems down the road. Reduce drips and leaks for optimal protection.
When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. This can usually be prevented.
First, insulate your outside pipes well. In addition, as the weather turns colder, make it a point to
drain and detach your hoses. Finally, turn off the faucet located outside. You can save a bunch on
your plumbing bills this way.
Be sure that you check on your water meter when it is not being used. Then, check on the meter 8
hours later. If the meter has changed, even a small amount, this could be a sign that there is an
undetected water leak, which can be a severe problem.
Make sure to never leave any flammable liquids near your water heater. Certain liquids like

2. gasoline, solvents, or adhesives are flammable, and if left too close to the water heater, can ignite. If
you have to have these liquids in your basement, place it far away from your water heater.
Before the cold season hits, check out the condition of your gutters on the roof of your house.
Remove all debris, leaves and branches so that you can have a smooth flow of water and easy
drainage. Caretaking in advance will help to prevent serious issues with plumbing down the road.
Make sure to use the toilet for waste and toilet paper only. Don't put cotton swabs and other items in
the toilet as if it is a trashcan. Make sure that whatever you put in the toilet can easily dissolve, so
that you don't cause major clogging and backup in your pipes and drains.
If you have an underground leak in your pipes, it is possible to detect the leak before digging.
Today's leak detection equipment is very sophisticated and modern, allowing technicians to detect
and pinpoint exactly where leaks are before they go about trying to fix them with professional grade
equipment for you.
Keep a grease vat in your kitchen to pour all used cooking grease into. Grease is a big reason that
kitchen drains slow and eventually, stop up. Even the harshest drain cleaning products, tend to not
be a match for a heavy grease clog. The grease you save in the vat can be formed into balls and
rolled in bird seed for wonderful winter bird feeders.
Many people complain of low water pressure. While there are several things that can cause this, one
must not be overlooked when starting your investigation. What kind of pipes do you have? If your
piping is galvanized, you are better off just replacing your piping which will eliminate the issue.
Sometimes in the case of minor and or major emergencies we all have to become Mr. Fix it
ourselves. If you've got blockage in your drains the first step is to try a commercial de-clogger like
Drano. Simply pour it down the drain, wait ten minutes, and presto, your water heater repair
estimate drain should be clear.
Check for standing water in your yard which can be a direct result of leaking pipes. Standing water

3. can cause an increased level of damage to your lawn and will attract bacteria and insects. Reduce
your level of standing water to put your family and home in the most secure position.
If you absolutely need to contact a plumber, be careful with the professional that you pick. Like
mechanics, plumbers are experts in
http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/water-heaters/hot-water-heater-buyers-guide/ their
particular field, and they may try to convince you to do a job or service that is completely
unnecessary given your problem. Try to find one who has gotten good reviews, especially when it
comes to honesty.
The best thing you can do if you smell a foul odor coming from your toilet is to call a plumber. There
is a good chance that you may have a sewer backup. Not only can this cause pipe damage, but
inhaling the smells from sewer backups is harmful to your help.
As you can see, plumbing isn't such a scary thing, it just requires proper knowledge and instruction.
Fixing your own plumbing can save a lot of money. Hopefully this article has given you at least a few
of the ideas that you need, so that next time your plumbing has a problem, you can fix it yourself.