Doing your own plumbing can be an important part of your home improvement. You need to do all of your research, so that you don't wind up losing a ton of money or destroying your home and your stuff. There are some tips listed here to help you begin with it.
Don't pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. Some plumbers may require a deposit, but don't fork over all the dough until the job is completed to spec. It is good to know that the plumber did everything as promised before he gets his money.
When Was Modern Plumbing Invented
Make sure everyone that lives in your house knows where to find and use the main water shut off valve in case there is a burst pipe emergency. This is especially important if you live in an area where your pipes may freeze. Take a moment to show your family members where the valve is and how to properly shut it off.
DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. read here for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.
How To Install Bathroom Sink Plumbing
Do not put your hand in the garbage disposal to remove a clog. This can be potentially harmful. Always use tongs to get out whatever is stuck in the disposal. Using tongs is much safer, and you will make sure your hand does not get cut on the disposer's sharp blades.
There are many ways to unclog a drain. You can try plunging it at first. If that doesn't work try using a chemical agent from the store. Before you go and spend money at the store though, if you have baking soda and some vinegar handy, you can mix those together and pour them in the drain and try to plunge that but if all else fails they have stronger remedies at your local hardware store.
How To Pressure Test Plumbing
Cleaning the aerator will fix low water pressure issues that are caused from sediment buildup. First, you should remove and disassemble the aerator. Next, clean it with a brush that has been dipped in white vinegar. After rinsing the aerator, put it back together and reinstall it. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.
Make sure that you disconnect all hoses outside your house when the fall season hits. This is important to reduce the chance of freezing, which can cause damage to the connecting pipes. Disconnect all of your water hoses and store them safely to put your family in the best position for the fall.
If your sewer is backed up, there are things you can do to troubleshoot and clean, including renting equipment like a main line cable. However, often times this does not fully take care of the problem. A professional needs to assess the issue then, using a camera method, and thoroughly cleaning the main line.
If your drain in any device is taking longer to drain water, then you may need to have your pipes professionally cleaned depending on the severity of the circumstances. Before you do this, there are several different products you can try. However, some of them are professional strength and all products should be used with caution.
Sometimes kitchen sinks can be clogged up due to a slow accumulation of solidified grease. One quick fix for this is to try pouring very hot grease down the sink, which will liquefy the grease clogging the drain and carry it down. Water won't work, because grease will not dissolve in water.
If your sewer and main lines keep clogging up, then it is very possible that you have a tree root blockage problem. There are over the counter products you can buy to attempt to get rid of this problem. This is very effective, yet the problem is usually very extensive. Therefore, it may require a professional to come out and solve the problem completely.
Protect you plumbing pipes! If you live in an area which has cold winters and are leaving your home for an extended amount of time, protect your plumbing while you are gone! Shut off the main water valve! Drain the system of water by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house. Also, make sure that you have left some heat on in the house! Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Always keep a trash bin in the bathroom so that you can dispose of cotton swabs, facial pads, and hair. Do not put these materials in the toilet as they can cause clogs over time and disrupt your water flow. These items will not dissolve or break down when submerged in water.
Teach kids how to shut off the toilet's water supply. Kids are notorious for putting large wads of toilet paper and other things into the toilet, which inevitably leads to the toilet overflowing. Especially if your bathroom has carpet, show kids how to turn the water valve off if the toilet water keeps rising, to prevent the mess of an overflow.
Make sure to use the toilet for waste and toilet paper only. Don't put cotton swabs and other items in the toilet as if it is a trashcan. Make sure that whatever you put in the toilet can easily dissolve, so that you don't cause major clogging and backup in your pipes and drains.
There are a lot of amateur plumbers around. A professional plumber is smart to hire an apprentice. This is a great way to hire inexpensive labor, and can help you mentor those younger than you.
If you need to remove a sink trap, plunge the sink before. This should remove most of the water contained in the trap and prevent you from making a mess. If you have a double sink, make sure you plunge both sides. Some water might still remain in the trap: place a bucket underneath.
If you drop a small item like a ring or earring into a sink drain, hope is not lost. By carefully removing the U-shaped trap underneath the sink, you can probably retrieve the item. Be aware that the trap will be full of water, though, so have something under it to catch the spills.
While you may not be able to tackle every problem that comes up, you can surely feel more confident about dealing with some of the basic stuff. Take any situation step by step, and you will find that it's not as difficult as you may have thought.
