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Whether you own or rent your home, you can benefit from knowing a few plumbing tips. These helpful hints will help you prevent major expenses and fix minor issues.
Minerals from your water can deposit inside shower heads and faucet aerators. These deposits can reduce water flow and even alter the path of the water. Any easy trick to remove built-up minerals is to soak faucet aerators and shower heads in vinegar. Allow them to soak for several hours to dissolve the mineral build-up. Gently scrub or wipe to help open the holes and then rinse with water.
Grease build-up inside pipes can cause major clogs. In order to prevent this build-up, pour kitchen grease and oil into an empty can and dispose in the garbage instead of pouring it down your drain. To help remove any existing accumulation, periodically pour a cup of baking soda and then a cup of vinegar into your drain. Chemical drain cleaners should be avoided if possible because they can damage some kinds of metal pipes and parts.
Another way to prevent clogs is to use drain guards or strainers. Drain guards can be used in tubs and sinks to stop hair and other matter from entering the drain pipe. These guards need to be cleaned on a regular basis, but do a good job of keeping your pipes free of materials likely to form clogs. Likewise, installing a lint trap on the discharge hose of your washing machine will also prevent clog causing bits from entering the drain.
Periodically running your garbage disposal full of ice and either rock salt or vinegar will help keep it clean and free of unpleasant odors. Run it for about thirty seconds. To preserve the life of your garbage disposal, avoid using drain cleaners as they can damage the disposal.
Leaking faucets and toilets are like dripping money down your drain in addition to the wasted water. Faucet drips can be checked for visually. Make a point of checking exterior faucets in addition to interior ones. Your toilets can be checked for leaks by removing the lid of the toilet tank and adding food coloring to the tank water. Let it sit and then check back in half an hour to see if the colored water leaked into the toilet bowl.
If you can’t find a leak but still suspect you have one, make a note of your water meter’s reading as you leave home for an extended period, such as for work, when you know that no water will be used in your absence. Read the meter again when you return. If the reading is different when you return, chances are you have a leak and may need assistance from a plumber.
The life expectancy and efficiency of your water heater can both be improved by twice yearly draining sediment out of your water heater. Plan ahead with this project because you will be draining scalding water. Pets and children should be prevented from entering the work area as well as the water discharge area. Because draining instructions differ between gas and electric models, be sure to read the instructions particular to your water heater.
Because plumbing emergencies can result in a lot of damage occurring very quickly, each member of your household should be instructed in how to locate and operate the water shut-offs in your home. Make sure to provide instruction on operating both the main shut-off and those for toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and washing machines.