MY-IRISH-HOMETOWN

Leading Your Home

Tag: plumbing

Solid Plumbing Advice For The Do-It-Yourself Homeowner

by Louise B. Delia

Do you find your plumbing is any good? Learning how to take care of it yourself could save you a lot of money. This is the proper article for you, now that you have made the decision to learn more. Your home plumbing will prove more efficient if you apply the advice learned from this article.

If your pipes make squeaking and hammering noises, it may be very simple to fix. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, a professional might be needed for the job.

To prevent your frozen pipes from bursting, leave the nearest faucet on to give the water a way to escape. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.

To keep your septic tank in good working order, it is advisable to have it pumped out every five years. This will prevent sediment from piling up in your tank, which could cause it to overflow into your home and yard, or even cause the entire septic system to fail. Hiring a professional to pump out your septic tank is costly, but it is far preferable to the damages that could be incurred if the tank becomes backed-up or inoperative.

Do not give a plumber the entire payment for a job until the whole job is completed. You might have to give them a deposit, but do not give them the entire sum of money until you are sure they have done a good job. You will feel better paying the bill when you are completely satisfied with the job.

Don’t use any colored tablets that claim to be cleaners in your toilet. It may help to get rid of your toilet’s odors, but it will damage any rubber parts, causing your toilet to malfunction, or even break down.

Check for softness in your floor to determine flood damage. Sit on the toilet and move from side to side, placing one foot on the ground. As you do, see if the floor lacks sturdiness or feels otherwise soft. You can wind up saving your money simply by noticing the problem early on.

A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Kitchen sink strainers should be cleaned every time they collect large food particles. You should clean out the strainer in your bathtub often.

To lower the chance that you will have issues with your toilet, do not approach it like it’s a trash can. Avoid flushing pads, cotton, towels, tissues or anything that cannot dissolve easily to avoid plugging the pipes. Reduce your use of toilet paper if you notice frequent clogs.

Now that you have read this article, you are probably anxious to get started on plumbing repairs. Hopefully, the techniques that you have read about will give you the results that you are looking for. If you cannot fix something, look for more information or consider calling a professional.…

Continue Reading

Highly Effective Plumbing Tips That Work Well

by Louise B. Delia

Working on your own plumbing can be a little confusing. There are many things you have to consider, from tools to regulations and everything in between. These tips can help you become a much better plumber.

Plumbing that constantly squeaks, pounds, and emits other noises is irritating but, fortunately, the problem is often easily fixed. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. You are going to need a professional if the pipes will be located in the ceiling, walls, or the floors.

Avoid septic tank problems by having your tank pumped out in five year intervals. Regular maintenance will keep sediment from backing up inside of the tank. Sediment can not only cause the sewage in the tank to back up into your house, but it can cause the tank to fail completely. Getting your septic tank drained occasionally may be expensive, but it’s dirt cheap compared to the cost of repairing a damaged septic system or the cleanup cost when raw sewage backs up into your home.

Use a drain strainer to prevent small particles from sliding down your drain and causing clogs. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.

If your home operates on well water and you notice pink or orange stains in your bathtub and other fixtures, this is no doubt due to iron in the water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.

You can greatly extend the life of your garbage disposal by regularly cleaning it. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.

Set up a time when all plumbing work will be completed at one time. You may want to have each minor problem attended to as the occur, but having multiple repairs done at once allows you to save up for the cost. It also costs less because most plumbers will charge you per hour and include a minimum rate for coming out. If you call them out multiple times, those charges for them coming out will add up quickly.

If you are using a slower head, see to it that you replace it with one that has good quality. It’s common to think it’s fine to buy the one that is the cheapest. Cheap shower heads have a tendency to break easily, so make sure you get what you pay for.

If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. This type of cleaner uses natural bacteria to transform sludge into liquid, that makes it disappear from the pipes. The cleaners which use enzymes are currently rated the best available.

As you’ve seen, plumbing is not that complicated. You need to learn the basics, however. All you need to begin is a bit of knowledge, work, and some common sense to seek the most helpful and effectual ways to complete the job.…

Continue Reading

Great Plumbing Tips You Can Do On Your Own

by Louise B. Delia

If you invest time in learning how to do plumbing yourself, the results are demonstrable. It shows you care about maintaining a proper home and you want everything to always be in working order. This is something that should be admired. With plumbing you can be an expert and still learn new tricks; there is always something to be gained or improved on. Below are a few tips that will help you out.

You can prevent frozen pipes within the home, by ensuring the temperature does not fall below freezing. Another important step is insulating pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures. Your plumbing can freeze if the air around it is below 32 degrees. At best, it can take time for them to thaw and for you to be able to have running water. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.

If any water pipe that you have freezes, be sure to turn on the faucet that is closes to the pipe to give the water an exit as 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.

To maintain a clean, well-functioning septic tank, it is recommended that you clean it out once every five years. This will keep sediment from hanging out in your tank and eventually causing there to be a backup in your home. Pumping a septic tank might cost a lot of money, but it will cost your more money to clean any back up in sewage you may have had, and replacing your septic tank costs even more!!

Don’t pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. Sometimes plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction. You want to know the plumber has fulfilled all his requirements as promised in the agreement before he gets paid.

If you have a clogged toiled with a lower water lever, and the plunger isn’t working, try pouring in some warm water directly into the toilet. After the water level in the toilet bowl has gone down, you can repeat the procedure until the blockage is cleared.

Feel the floors around the toilets to see if they are soft; this will help you know if you have any damage. Straddle the toilet and rock from one foot to the other to see if you feel any weakening or “softness” in the floor beneath you. Discovering this issue sooner can mean big savings for your checking account, as compared to finding out about it later.

You have the tools, the knowledge, and the skill set to apply them all to your plumbing system. This should help you with your problems. The above tips were constructed to add to your plumbing skills, as you are never done learning or improving. Hopefully, you have found the exact fit for the plumbing job that you need to work on.…

Continue Reading

Guide On How To Do Plumbing Right

by Louise B. Delia

How experienced are you with plumbing? How would you like to improve it? Describe your current skill level. Can you unclog a toilet? What about fixing a water leak under the sink? If answering these questions was difficult or you found your answers unsatisfactory, keep reading for a few tips to give you a broader knowledge base.

Water hammer problems, pipe noise due to water hitting the back of the pipe, can be easily repaired. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. You might want to contact a professional when the pipes are hard to access.

To prevent pipes in your house from freezing, do not let the temperature in the house dip below freezing. Also, any pipes exposed to the cold should be insulated. Obviously, frozen pipes occur due to freezing environmental conditions. In the very least, you could lose running water inside while waiting for the pipes to unfreeze. But, they could also burst, causing a mess and a large repair bill.

Only pay pay the plumber once the job is done. You might have to put money down initially before the plumber begins the job. However, do not pay everything up front; instead, only pay once the job is successfully completed. Agree with the plumber in advance on the job and payment.

Every so often, inspect the floor around your toilet and see if it has gone soft. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. This will save you a lot of trouble and money if you find the issue before something horrible happens.

Use filters on all drains to prevent debris that might clog the pipes from getting through. Clean your kitchen strainer often, particularly if you can see debris accumulating. Bathtub strainers need regular cleaning as well.

You can keep your bathtub pipes clear by pouring baking soda and vinegar down your drain once a month. Use one cup of each. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. After waiting a few minutes, flush the drain with boiling water. This procedure should clear the pipes of soap scum and accumulated hair.

Putting in shower heads that are energy-efficient can save you a lot of money in energy costs. Most households use a lot of hot water in the shower. When you install an energy-efficient shower head, you will reduce your home’s water consumption, which means money left in your pocket.

Don’t treat your toilet like a garbage can if you want to avoid a lot of potential plumbing problems. Do not flush things like paper towels, sanitary pads, tissues, diapers, cotton balls or anything else that might cause the toilet to get clogged. Reduce your use of toilet paper if you notice frequent clogs.

Do you now feel more knowledgeable where plumbing is concerned? Find out more about the specific system you have. What is your level of ability? Can you use components to your plumbing system now? Have you figured out how the equipment works? Hopefully, these tips created better answers to these questions.…

Continue Reading

Find Tips To Successful Plumbing Projects For The Home

by Louise B. Delia

It is common for people to believe that plumbing repairs are hard. However, it becomes much easier if you are properly educated and have the proper advice to do the job. This article has many plumbing tips to help you finish your project.

If you discover a pipe has frozen, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.

Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it in proper working condition. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. While it may cost a bit to have your septic tank pumped out, it will cost you much more to clean up any sewage backup or to repair or replace your septic tank.

You can resolve most toilet clogs yourself. Try a plunger first. If plunging the toilet doesn’t seem to clear up a clog, check the toilet’s water level. If it’s too low, try filling a bucket with warm water. Open the toilet’s tank, and pour the water in. Repeat this once your water goes back to a lower level.

Iron will cause orange or pink stains in and on your fixtures if you have a well. You can use water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Have all your plumbing needs scheduled all at once. It might be tempting to hire a plumber for every little problem, but if you can save it up for one big fix, then you have time to set money aside for these repairs. Because plumbers generally round up to the nearest hour, this also allows you to save money. The time only gets rounded up once, rather than multiple times.

To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Never flush paper towels, tissue, diapers, or tampons. These things do not break up correctly and can clog your pipes. Use the least amount of toilet paper that you can; use just as much as necessary to properly clean yourself.

If you wish to use a pipe cleaner to clear out your clogged pipes, look for one that is enzyme-based. These will utilize natural bacteria to transform sludge into a liquid that can be removed. The best cleaner available on the market are the enzyme ones.

The secret to low or even no repair bills from plumbing issues is prevention. Clogs present one of the top reasons for needing a major plumbing repair. Drains easily get clogged by hair. Stop hair from going down drains with a drain cover or screen designed for this purpose. It’s far simpler to clean the screen than to remove a hair clog in the pipes.

As was discussed at the beginning of the article, while plumbing can be an extremely difficult chore for anyone to complete, it becomes significantly easier if you have the right advice and information. Use the advice from this article, and you’ll be on your way to doing your own plumbing.…

Continue Reading

Plumbing Tips To Help You With Your Needs

by Louise B. Delia

You can easily do needed research to learn about plumbing and how to do it yourself, or find someone with the right knowledge to teach you. It is only difficult if you make it that way, so do not allow yourself to get overwhelmed. This article offers some beginner-friendly advice for maintaining the plumbing in and around your own home.

Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are an easy problem to fix. Any exposed pipes will need to be anchored. It may be necessary to hire a professional to address noisy pipes that are located in less accessible places in your home.

If you have a frozen pipe, turn on the nearest faucet so the water has an escape route when the pipe starts to thaw. This can prevent damage to your house because it lets the pressure that is in the pipe out, and keeps it from bursting.

You do not give the plumber all the money until he is finished with his work. It is customary to put down one-third to one-half of the total cost before the work is started, but do not pay in full until it is complete. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.

If a plumbing project is in your future, know two things: what tools you have, and how you are supposed to use them. Read all of the equipment’s manuals and read up as much as you can on plumbing projects. Before undertaking repairs on your own, you should have a plan; otherwise, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.

Have all the plumbing repairs done in one visit. By doing so, you can save up enough money to pay for the repairs. It also saves you money because a lot of plumbers charge by the hour–they cannot charge for multiple hours every trip if they only make one trip out.

However, if you mix a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda and send them down your tub’s drain each month, the flow will keep going smoothly. This will cause a chemical reaction to occur and you should plug the drain. Wait until the chemical reaction runs its course, then flush the pipes by pouring in a kettle full of boiling water. This simple solution can break up clogs caused by everything from hair to soap scum.

If you notice water draining into your dishwasher, check how the kitchen sink hoses are installed. The hose leading from the kitchen sink to the dishwasher must lead uphill and then back downhill in order to prevent mixing of water from both devices.

Now that you’ve read this article I hope that plumbing doesn’t seem as daunting to you! As with many home improvement topics, plumbing encompasses a great deal of different topics. Sometimes, you just need to have a clue about where to start so you feel comfortable jumping in. We hope that the paragraphs detailed throughout the article have assisted your plumbing structure in some fashion.…

Continue Reading

Snake Away Your Plumbing Problems Today

by Louise B. Delia

There are lots of problems that can arise when dealing with plumbing. There are some plumbing things that can seem hard while others can seem easier to deal with. No matter what your particular case may be, it is important that you are educated on plumbing, so that the problem can be fixed in a timely manner.

If you have pipes that make hammering and squeaking noises, you have one easy repair. You will need to anchor any exposed pipes. If the pipes are in the walls, floors or ceiling, you may want to call a professional to come and help complete the project.

To prevent pipes from freezing, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. Pipes will begin to freeze as soon as they reach freezing temperatures. If you are lucky, you will only experience a minor inconvenience until the pipes thaw. On the other hand, they can burst, which gets messy and really expensive.

Don’t be tempted to use commercial bleach tablets, blue toilet tablets or any other product that claims to prevent toilet odor. While they may be effective deodorizers, they can damage rubber parts in your toilet. If they become too damaged, your toilet will not operate properly.

The areas of floor around your toilets are particularly susceptible to water damage; here’s how you can check them. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. You can save a lot if you catch these issue sooner.

If your home uses well water and orange or pink stains become noticeable in your bathtub or in other fixtures, this occurs when the water has too much iron. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which you could purchase at a local store, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.

By installing water-conserving shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save money on your monthly water bill. Most of the hot water used in the home is used while showering. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can save hundreds each year on your bills.

If you are using a slower head, see to it that you replace it with one that has good quality. Many times people try to save money and buy the cheapest one that they see. However, they are inexpensive for a reason, this being that they are cheaply made and tend to break a lot easier.

Fix issues with low water pressure by cleaning sediment buildup out of your faucet’s aerator. Remove the aerator, and then take it apart so it can be cleaned with a brush that has been dipped in vinegar. After cleaning it, put the aerator back together and put it back on the faucet. Once the aerator has been cleared, your water pressure should improve.

As you have learned in the introduction of the article, you can learn a lot of ways to fix big and small things when it comes to plumbing. By using the above hints, you’ll see that these problems can be solved without stressing you out.…

Continue Reading

Plumbing Tips That Can Help You Out

by Louise B. Delia

Plumbing issues may negatively affect your household items and home. The following advice in this article will assist you in repairing plumbing issues.

When it gets very cold, your pipes may freeze. If it does, relieve the pressure in the pipe by turning on the tap so the water can be released as the pipe thaws. This can relieve the pipe pressure that could cause bursting and further home damage.

Do not attempt fixing your garbage disposal with bare hands. Even if the disposal is turned off, it can still be hazardous. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.

Maintain smooth functioning of the drain in your bathtub by dropping baking soda and then vinegar down it on a monthly basis. Cover with a rag or plug, as a chemical reaction will occur in the pipes. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.

Check overflow holes to make sure there’s no clog. Overflow holes are one of those things which you forget about until you need them. When you do periodic checks for any other problems or repairs that are needed, take the time to clear the holes that are there to protect you from overflow.

If you operate the disposal on your sink, run plenty of cool water. Cold water keeps blades sharp and encourage a smoother disposal. Hot water can liquify grease and cause it to collect in the drain, and that can clog the pipes.

If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. The hose at the kitchen sink going to the dishwasher should follow a specific uphill, then downhill pattern. This prevents unwanted mixing of water between the sink and dishwasher.

If you need to replace your shower head, make sure that you buy a new one that is high quality. Many times, people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. These types of fixtures are prone to breakage and are much less sturdy.

Use a cleaner that is enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. These cleaners use natural bacteria, which turns sludge into liquid and cleans your pipes. The enzyme cleaners are the best on the market.

Clean the aerator to adjust water pressure issues which result from sediment build up. To clean the aerator, you first want to disassemble the faucet and remove it. After that, remove the aerator and scrub it clean with a fine brush. You can use vinegar or some other type of cleaning solution to assist in the task. Rinse the piece, put it back together, and put it back on the faucet. By removing any grit, grime and debris from the aerator, the water pressure should significantly increase.

Plumbing issues can be bothersome, but with perseverance and hard work, they can be fixed. It takes research and asking a plumber to fix it correctly more often than not. Help yourself and apply the tips in this article to the plumbing problems you run into.…

Continue Reading