Plumbing Tips For Homeowners

In plumbing, a lot of things can go the opposite of how you’d like them to go. Plumbing issues can range in difficulty, from easy (do it yourself) to hard (don’t do it yourself!). Regardless of your plumbing expertise, or lack of it, and regardless of your desire to roll up your sleeves to actually do the work yourself, you need some basic knowledge to prepare for the unexpected, and this article will provide you with just that.

1. If your pipes make squeaking and hammering noises, it may be simple to fix. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. You may need to call Rowell’s Services to help with any projects involving pipes that are hidden in the floors, ceiling, or walls.
2. Do not use harsh chemicals to clean or treat your toilet. While they are good at removing odors, they have a detrimental effect on the gaskets and parts of the toilet made of rubber. This can make it not function correctly and may even break it.
3. Never pour grease, fat, or any oil-based liquids into your drains. When they cool, they’ll harden and clog your drain. They’ll also muck up your garbage disposal and cause it to be less efficient. Don’t put oils down the sink.
4. Check your fixtures to ensure the overflow holes are clear of debris and mineral build-up. If your sink starts to overflow, the water will run into the overflow holes, this might not be a huge issue, unless they are clogged. Clean overflow holes as part of your annual maintenance, and any other time you are handling general plumbing repairs.
5. Use lots of cold water when you run your garbage disposal. Using cold water not only preserves the sharpness of the blades, but also makes the disposal process itself smoother. Hot water is not recommended because of what it does to greasy products.
6. Always know where your water shut offs are, including the one from the main water supply (i.e. that connects you to the city) as well as the shutoffs under each fixture. Make sure your family knows, too!

Plumbing systems are complicated and there can be a variety of issues you may face. By applying the tips that you have read, you will realize that dealing with your plumbing problems does not need to cause a lot of stress.