Leaky pipes and backed up water systems can be a serious headache to the homeowner that is faced with dealing with these issues. Besides dealing with natural disasters, a major plumbing problem can be one of the most challenging parts of home ownership. Luckily, there are many different ways to address plumbing problems before they get bad.
If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. This helps to relieve the pressure in the pipe and may prevent bursting, which can prevent further damage to your home.
Ensure that a septic tank is emptied approximately five yearly, and make sure it is properly maintained. This will keep sediment from building and causing backup into the house, and possibly causing the septic system to fail. There is a cost to having a company pump out your septic tank. But, a serious backup can cost a lot more if it mean replacing the tank.
Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used in your toilet. While they may be effective deodorizers, they can damage rubber parts in your toilet. If they become too damaged, your toilet will not operate properly.
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). This procedure can be repeated if the water level again returns to a level that is too low.
A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Each time a filter is clogged, it should be cleaned. Clean out the bathtup strainer every few days before it becomes clogged.
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Wait for a little while, and then pour boiling water down the drain. This procedure will clear the hair and soap scum out of your pipes.
Education and prevention are often the keys when it comes to avoiding plumbing-related problems. Even just learning the basics will go a long way to prevent costly and damaging mistakes. Also, a homeowner who researches solutions before working on plumbing will avoid potential disasters.