How To Do Some Plumbing In Your Own Home

TIP! A great tip to use to stop your septic tank from backing up is to make sure you have it pumped at least every five years. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result.

It can seem like a lot of work to learn about plumbing, but once you begin, you will see it is actually pretty straightforward. Remember the tips in this article so you can stay informed about plumbing and never hire someone again.

TIP! Avoid paying the plumber until he finishes the job. 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.


TIP! Don’t be tempted to use commercial bleach tablets, blue toilet tablets or any other product that claims to prevent toilet odor. These may deodorize, but they can seriously damage the rubber pieces in the toilet, causing poor functionality or even complete breakdown of the fixture.


TIP! If your toilet gets clogged, your plunger is not fixing it, and your water level inside of the toilet appears low, you can sometimes fix the problem by dumping warm water into your toilet at waist level (or maybe even a little higher). Repeat this procedure if necessary as the water returns back to a lower level.

If your garbage disposal stops working, never try to fix it by reaching down with your hands. Garbage disposals can be dangerous, even when they are turned off. Use the Internet to find a diagram of your device, or a troubleshooter.

Floor Damage

TIP! Ensure your overflow holes aren’t clogged up. The overflow holes are there to make sure the sink doesn’t overfill, which can become a problem if they are blocked.

Check your floors for softness around toilets, so that you can ascertain if there is any floor damage. Do this by straddling the commode and rocking from side to side. You are looking for any feelings of weakness or softening of the floor itself. It’s important to catch and address floor damage problems as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.

TIP! Make sure a new shower head is of high quality. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head.

Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. Grease hardens when it cools and will clog your pipes. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. Dispose of your oils in a coffee can or other suitable container instead of your sink.

TIP! Prevention is necessary when you want to keep plumbing bills down. Drain clogs are a common plumbing issue and sometimes expensive to repair when they are not addressed promptly.

If you have any plumbing work that needs to be done, schedule it all to be done concurrently. If a problem is minor, it can be wise to put off repair until you have more than one item to fix. This also gives you time to save up for the needed 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.

TIP! When water pipes freeze, the damage can be extensive and costly. Fortunately, such damage is easy to prevent.

Putting a cup of any kind of baking soda followed with a cup of white vinegar each month will keep your drain running smoothly. Seal off the drain with a conventional plug or a piece of fabric while the natural chemical reaction takes place. Allow some time to pass, then follow up by pouring down boiling hot water. Doing this periodically should keep your pipes free of hair and soap scum.

TIP! Cleaning the aerator will fix low water pressure issues that are caused from sediment buildup. Remove the aerator, take it apart, and clean with a small brush dipped in vinegar.

Do not use your toilet to get rid of garbage. Keep away from flushing improper items down the toilet, like cotton balls, diapers, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. These types of items can clog your toilet as they do not dissolve. In addition, you should only use the amount of toilet paper that is absolutely necessary when cleaning yourself.

TIP! If you get grout stuck in the plumbing, it’s going to be very difficult to remove by yourself. You can try dislodging some of the blockage which will open up the line.

Enzyme based pipe cleaners should be a first choice when you are trying to unclog a pipe that is blocked or draining slowly. These cleaners use natural bacteria, which turns sludge into liquid and cleans your pipes. The best cleaner available on the market are the enzyme ones.

TIP! Try not to use drain cleaners if you can. Drain cleaners use abrasive chemicals that are not only harmful to you but also to your pipes.


TIP! Sometimes, the plumber is chosen by an insurance company without your input, but you can look them up online anyway. If an insurance company is requiring you to use a certain plumber, doing a background check on him can put you on guard should he have a bad reputation.

Not as difficult as you thought, was it? As with any professional field, plumbing incorporates a large number of concepts and skills. Sometimes, you just need to have a clue about where to start so you feel comfortable jumping in. The tips you have found above should put you on the right path.

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