Plumbing Tips That Every Homeowner Can Use
Though water is one of the earth’s vital elements, it can cause major trouble for anyone battling plumbing issues in their home. Few issues, short of a natural disaster, can cause more damage to a house than a serious plumbing fault. There are a lot of things homeowners can do to prevent serious plumbing problems and reduce the effects if they do happen.
If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws. This can relieve the pipe pressure that could cause bursting and further home damage.
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. Letting the water drain out will relieve pressure in the frozen pipe, which will reduce the chances of it bursting and damaging your home.
A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Thoroughly clean the strainer on a regular basis. Bathtubs should be equipped with strainers as well, and they too will need to be cleaned regularly.
Use baking soda and one cup of vinegar per month to keep the bathtub drain clear and running well. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. After about 10 minutes you can flush the pipes out with boiling water. This procedure will clear the hair and soap scum out of your pipes.
Stay away from bleach tablets, blue tablets for the toilet and other toilet odor removers. They can clean the bowl and remove odors, but they also damage the soft plastic and rubber parts in and around your toilet.
Good education and preparation are the key to avoiding plumbing woes. Homeowners who become knowledgeable about plumbing are better able to avoid plumbing disasters. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.