No-Nonsense HVAC Contractor Tactics - Promising Answers

Things That You Need To Know About Plumbing

If you've ever hired a professional plumber for something simple, you know how expensive and annoying the experience can be. If you'd like to save a little cash by learning how to solve your own plumbing problems, read on. This article will give you the knowledge you need for your own plumbing repair.

Ensure that everyone in your household knows how to turn off the main water supply, or knows how to contact someone who can. In the event of a burst pipe or other water-related emergency, you should immediately turn off the water to prevent flooding, structural damage, and a sky-high water bill.

You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.

Check the overflow holes for clogs. Sinks use overflow holes if they start to overfill, and this isn't usually a problem, but it can be. Periodically clear out the overflow holes when doing your other checks for things that may need repaired.

Be careful about using liquid clog cleaners. These liquids can contain chemicals that are extremely bad for your pipes. Instead, use a snake or a plunger to dislodge any clogs you might encounter. Be sure to try these things before giving up and calling a plumber, who will probably re-perform those same acts.

Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that's not good if you're paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!

If you have drains in your house that have not been used for a long period of time, pour one gallon of water through them to keep them functional. Furthermore, this will have the added benefit of reducing any odors from entering your house from lack of use during the year.

Try to limit the amount of hair that goes down your drains. Hair can become tangled up in the pipe and end up blocking up the them, preventing water from flowing smoothly. Buy a cheap screened drain cover to put over your drain to stop any hair from going down and clean it off regularly.

Before embarking on a plumbing project, make sure that you're aware of where the shutoff valve for water in your home is, as well as the valves for shutting off individual structures like sinks, toilets, etc. This way, if something goes wrong, you'll be able to stop the water flow.

During the winter months, your water heater works the hardest. To keep it in optimum condition, flush it out before winter arrives. Flushing the system helps remove the sediment buildup, which causes internal corrosion of your water heater, shortens its lifespan, and reduces heating efficiency. Connect a hose to the faucet near the bottom of the tank and drain several gallons by directing the water into a nearby drain.

Tank-less water heaters are a great space saving alternative to traditional tank units. They are available in many models, some for indoors and some models are capable for outdoor mounting. Tank-less water heaters are known as great money savers when it comes to your water bill.

If the water pressure on your street exceeds 60 pounds, you many want to consider installing a pressure reducing valve. Too much water pressure is actually harmful to your plumbing system and could cause excess water pressure. A pressure reducing valve cuts down your water pressure by almost 50 percent.

If you own property where the temperature gets below freezing for an extended amount of time each year, you should make sure that pipes located in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces and garages, are insulated. Pipes that are exposed to the outside elements or those that are prone to freezing, should be protected by heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables to prevent them from freezing.

Clean the aerator to if you are dealing with low water pressure issues due to sediment buildup. First, you need to remove the aerator, and then take it apart and clean it using a small brush that has been dipped in vinegar. Rinse the aerator with water, put it back together and then attach it back onto the faucet. This technique causes the water pressure to rise via the removing of any blockage within the aerator.

A common problem with toilets is that sewage will on will back up and flow into the toilet. This happens because of a blockage within the branch lines that connect the main line to the sewage line. If you are not able to remove the blockage, you need to contact a professional to snake the line clear.

Do not put stringy or fibrous items into your garbage disposal. Substances like banana peels, check here gristle, or celery may not completely break down in the disposal, and may clog your pipes instead of flowing out of the waste lines as they are supposed to. When in doubt, do not try to dispose of something that may not break down completely.

One of the most inexpensive plumbing issues is a running toilet. Simply by understanding how a toilet actually functions is the first best tool in avoiding a running toilet. If you understand the function of the lever and floater, you will be able to fix any running toilet in no time.

If you notice that water has saturated your walls, reach for the shutoff valve and notify a plumber right away. This particular problem is often a sign of a major plumbing issue. Many issues related to this cause mildew and mold, as well as flooding.

Remove all foreign objects from your drain, before you clean the area with chemicals. These objects include all kitchen utensils, fruit pits and certain types of metal objects. These cannot be flushed down your drain and could damage your unit significantly, if you put them through the garbage disposal.

In conclusion, you could look far and long but will not find a greater collection of advice regarding plumbing other than what you were just exposed to. Use this information and pass it on to those that you know in order to remove any risks that faulty plumbing might cause.

Sudbury plumbers share tips to prevent frozen pipes

Rod Lefebvre has been a plumber for 34 years and said one common mistake people make is not having their homes checked on if they go away.

"Just make sure that if you are away from your house that you have the right people that are actually going inside looking at things making sure everything is fine and stuff," said Lefebvre.

Lefebvre said some homes are more at risk if pipes are on outside walls but says issues with pipes freezing can happen to any home when temperatures plunge.

"If you can just get the heat in there as quick as possible to get things thawed out then you are saving yourself damages down the line," said Lefebvre.

Castle Plumbing and Heating said space heaters can help prevent frozen pipes but they have to be used properly and safely. There is also another preventative step.

"When you know it’s going to be really, really cold outside it never hurts especially if you know you have a trouble area in your home it never hurts to leave your facet a trickle because if there is some movement in that pipe then it can’t freeze," said Jean.

In a recent tweet, the Greater Sudbury Fire Service said never use open flames to thaw frozen plumbing. For a safe solution, consider a certified plumber.

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