We all get plumbing issues from time to time whether it’s from a clogged toilet or leaky faucet. While there are some things that we can’t fix by ourselves, let us give you some do it yourself tips on how to take care of your home. These tips will save you money on plumbing services. Of course, this doesn’t mean that plumbers’ expertise isn’t a safer bet when something needs to be repaired. Plumbers have years of expertise that can be helpful in maintaining your home but for those times when you have a minor problem try fixing it yourself.
1 Don’t over-tighten
We like to make sure that everything is always in place. When in plumbing for most people it translates to tightening the bolts or pipes harder than needed. People mistakenly think that the tighter everything is the more secure it will be but this actually does more harm than good. When bolts are too tight they end up causing more damage to the plumbing system. Don’t try to screw the bolts on too tightly. Just enough to keep everything in place. This care will keep your plumbing system lasting longer.
2 Fix leaky faucets immediately
It’s really common to see leaking taps but that doesn’t mean we should ignore it. It may only seem like a few drops of water but they actually add up over time. They can be why your water bill is coming in so high. So if you want to save some money fix it. If you’ve already tried to fix this problem to no avail try calling in a plumber they may be costly but they’re a better investment than losing money to leaking faucets over time. Plus why wouldn’t you want to make sure your home is in tip-top shape. After all leaking faucets aren’t expensive just for the water bill the continued moisture can cause mold to occur and corrosion to other parts of the faucet. Plus the leak will only keep getting worse. Don’t try to tough it out, take care of the problem immediately.
3 Stop pipes from bursting
People aren’t the only things that get cold during winter time, your pipes are affected as well. If the water in the pipes end up freezing the pipes will burst. This occurs because water expands when it freezes causing the pipes to burst. While this is a common problem during the winter time you can be prepared for it. Pipes are usually more vulnerable in places without heating like basements or garages. So get some pipe insulation to help keep them warm. Even in places with heat, the temperature should be at a constant 20 F or higher to keep your pipes safe. If your pipes do freeze, turn on the faucet and heat that part of the pipe until normal water flows. If you think your pipe has burst, call for a plumber immediately this is no time to try fixing it yourself.
4 Plumbing tape
You know how people say that tape is the solution to every problem? Well, in this case, they’re right. Not just any tape though but Teflon tape is what’ll help. They help create a waterproof seal on the pipe joints so they don’t leak. This is really helpful when you’re working on pipes. Teflon tape prevents the pipes from sticking and makes it less of a hassle to work with. If you want to make fixing pipes easier use Teflon tape.
5 Know where your main valve is
When you’re plumbing the first thing you need to know is how to turn off your water. In other words your main valve. A lot of people don’t know where it is but it is the first thing you should turn off if a pipe bursts. Where should you check for this elusive valve? They are usually found in the basement of the home. If not they can be found outside on the utility pole. Know where the main valve is can help make sure that you home stays safe in any plumbing emergencies
6 Shower-heads need to be cleaned regularly
Showers are a wonderful part of the day they help relieve stress from hectic life. But shower-heads like your bathtubs need to be cleaned regularly. This may be causing problems with the showers’ water flow and this is definitely something that should be taken care of. Old shower-heads actually use more energy than the newer ones so go for a switch. If your shower-head is fine but there’s still a water flow problem then they may just need to be cleaned. While it isn’t a pleasant thought, you’d be surprised with how much gunk there are on these things. Because mineral deposits can build up overtime shower-heads should be cleaned regularly. Separate the shower-head and let it soak at least 3 hours in vinegar to get rid of the mineral. Once you run the item over warm water brush off any remaining gunk and reassemble.
7 Clogged toilet no plunger?
Sometimes you have an immediate plumbing issue and you don’t have time to buy a plunger. Even though we recommend having the proper tools there are some repairs you can do without even if it is harder. If you have a clogged toilet you can try filling up a bucket with water and pour it down the toilet. This extra water will help when flushing. If this doesn’t work try going for some chemicals to help dissolve whatever’s down there. You can actually use common household items from baking soda to vinegar just let it stay in the toilet for a few hours. This might help break down whatever’s in the toilet to unclog it. These tips are useful for those without plungers if nothing works we recommend calling for help.
8 How to prevent getting a clogged toilet in the first place
There are certain things we just don’t flush down the toilet. Toilet paper, plastic wraps etc all contribute to clogging. This is an annoyance for any homeowner. But what about products like baby wipes and flush-able toilet paper. Even if they say that they’re flush-able don’t take their word for it. Leave their product in a bowl of warm water. If they don’t break down after an hour then they shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.
9 Know where your pipes are
If you’re planning on redecorating the home find out where your pipes are before you draw out plans. Chances are the pipes were put there because they had to so so before you do anything drastic find out where your pipes are. Things like a stud finder can help find the pipes behind walls. They are small handheld devices that help people find studs within walls but these devices help find pipes and circuits, both things you want to avoid hitting when remodelling.
10 Know your limits
There’s a reason why plumbers are still in business even with all the DIY plumbing videos out there and that because they have the right experience to fix your home. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t things that you can fix yourself. If you have an easy reachable fixture like a faucet or handles to replace go ahead. These things are easily removable and won’t cause problems even if they aren’t done as properly. But what about the more complicated type of plumbing like a burst pipe. Leave that to the professionals. If you try to fix the problem and make a mistake it would be more costly to fix the whole than if you just called a plumber in the first place. Knowing what your plumbing limits are can make sure that your home stays fit.
