Imagine taking on a plumbing project with the confidence that you are going to do a good job and that you are going to complete the job for well under the price of hiring professional help. Now use this hopefulness, and take a few minutes to read the great tips in this article.
Solder with safety in mind. When you solder a copper pipe you want to direct the flame on the copper pipe. The flame of the torch has to be four inches away from the piping. The flame should be targeted directly at the point where the copper piping needs to be disconnected.
Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. Your pipes can freeze if temperatures around them fall below freezing. If they freeze, it will be awhile for them to gradually warm. Therefore, it will take some time for you to have running water again. But, more importantly, the pipes can burst, which will cause a huge mess and big repair bill.
Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. Oils will eventually harden and clog up your drain. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. You should dispose of all oils outside of the sink.
Do not overload your garbage disposal. If you need to dispose of large items, cut them up into smaller pieces. Also, do not put too much in at a time, put one or two items in and wait a few seconds to dispose of the rest. Overloading your disposal can cause the engine to overheat.
Drain the sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater twice a year to keep the hot water heater working at its optimal levels. Simply open the drain valve and allow the water to run out into a bucket until the water runs clear. Then close the drain valve.
If your plumbing is making strange noises you may have lost something called your “air cushion”. To turn this back on, you’re going to need to turn off your main water supply. Run all faucets in your house and then turn back on your main water supply. This should make everything sound better again.
Over time, sediment buildup may lead to problems with low water pressure. Often, this problem can be addressed by thoroughly cleaning out the aerator. Take the aerator apart and clean it with a brush and some vinegar. Rinse the aerator with water, put it back together and then attach it back onto the faucet. Clean the aerator, it might increase your water pressure.
If you have to take out a clean-out plug but you aren’t having any success, two ways can assist you in doing this. First, you should try a hammer and chisel to loosen the clean out plug. The only other alternative is to chisel through the plug.
To summarize, you want to know that you are taking care of your plumbing job just the same as a professional would, but without the additional costs they would inflict upon you. Hopefully, this article was informative enough for you to tackle any plumbing issue that might come your way.