Plumbing problems can seem catastrophic if you don’t know how to fix them. Not only do you have to wait for a professional to be available to help, the cost can be through the roof! Keep reading to arm yourself with some very useful plumbing advice!
Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years or so to keep it working well. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.
Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.
Knowing which tools to use and how to operate them is essential to any aspiring plumber. Use manuals and online sites to get informed before doing a plumbing project yourself. Plan thoroughly before attempting a repair. Mistakes can be very expensive to fix.
If you have a clogged toilet with the water level very low, and plunging it isn’t working, it’s possible to resolve this by pouring warm water from a bucket directly into the toilet bowl from about waist level. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.
Avoid placing fat, grease, and other oils into your drain. They can clog your drains once they cool down. This is especially damaging to garbage disposals because the fat can make the blades turn more slowly and less efficiently. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Use a plug or rag to cover the drain, because there will be a chemical reaction in the pipes. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. Although this is useful for clearing away simple clogs made of hair and soap debris, it will not work for serious blockages.
Always use cold water when your garbage disposal is running. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. If you use hot water it will liquefy the grease, allowing it to accumulate in your drain causing your pipes to clog.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!
