After you move into a new house, you’ll likely see some sort of plumbing problem arise. The majority of the time, these problems will be in the kitchen or bathroom. Usually, homeowners have to handle plumbing issues at some point. Following is some advice to guide you when that occurs.
Do not attempt fixing your garbage disposal with bare hands. Garbage disposals always pose a possible threat, even when powered off or non-working all together. Use the Internet to find a diagram of your device, or a troubleshooter.
Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. Sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or “give” in the floor. You could save yourself money but noticing that problem sooner, rather than later.
Put the strainer on top of drains to catch any food that would go down and cause a clog. Every time you have large particles in the strainer of the kitchen sink, it should be cleaned thoroughly. Clean bathtub drain screens as often as needed.
If you have a well at your home and notice pink or orange stains around the drains of your tub or sink, this is most likely caused by an excess of iron in your water. You should purchase a water softener to use, or ask a local business to make a visit to your residence and resolve the issue for you.
Keep your garbage disposal clean to make sure it lasts for awhile. By regularly using a mixture of dish soap, cherry pits and citrus rinds, you can ensure that your disposal runs smoothly and smells as fresh as one that is brand new.
Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Afterward, place a washcloth or towel over the top of the drain, to keep the chemical reactions contained. After giving the mixture time to work, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.
You need to make sure that your lint trap is clean for your dryer. This is a good idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is fire safety. Be sure to check the trap for tears and rips, because this can cause bigger problems as it may mean that lint is escaping into your pipes.
When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. Thankfully, you can prevent your pipes from freezing. Make sure that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. Once the temperature starts to drop, disconnect your hoses after you have drained them out, and make sure the outside faucet is turned off. Taking proper precautions can save you lots of money on plumbing bills.
It is unwise to be unprepared for sudden plumbing problems. All homeowners should have some basic plumbing knowledge. If you encounter a plumbing issue at some point, the tips provided here will assist you in handling it.
SbPoet 