Plumbing problems can be quite a headache for a homeowner not familiar with how to fix plumbing. Professional plumbers usually have a waiting list, and can be extremely expensive for minor repairs that could be taken care of without that much trouble. Continue reading to learn some tips which should make your plumbing projects easy to tackle in the future.
Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. When they cool down, they get hard and that will cause clogs in your sink drains. Oils are especially damaging to garbage disposals. Keep a container in your kitchen that is used specifically for discarded grease.
Iron will cause orange or pink stains in and on your fixtures if you have a well. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or by hiring a professional to come out.
Install water-saving shower heads to reduce your energy costs. Most of the hot water we use is from showering. By installing energy-efficient shower heads for a few extra dollars, you can save up to $100 or more a year per shower head in your house.
Be sure to check your dryer and clear your lint trap of any debris. This can prevent various problems, including a fire. Inspect your lint trap every so often for tears or holes that could cause lint to go into your pipes, this could cause clogs or other problems you will have to deal with.
If there’s grout stuck inside your line, it’s most likely will be a losing cause if you try to fix it all by yourself. With a little effort, you can get some of the grout broken down and on its way down the line. Plastic pipes are more conducive to clearing grout than metal pipes. Usually, however, you will need to hire a professional for this issue.
Check your faucets outdoors for drips before the first winter freeze. If there are problems, you must make the needed fixes prior to the arrival of freezing temperatures. Regardless of what the pipes in your house are made out of, freezing water will cause them to crack. The tiniest cracks might create water damage or cause water to flood into your house.
When looking to find a good plumbing contractor, don’t forget to check contractors against Department of Consumer Affairs records. You should verify that they hold a valid licence and look over any bad feedback filed against them. If a plumber does not have a current license and even a limited number of complaints, you probably don’t want them working on your home.
As you can see, plumbing problems don’t have to be so difficult. If you can solve the problem yourself, you can save time waiting for a plumber, as well as saving a whole lot of money. Try applying what you’ve learned from this article next time you have a plumbing problem!
