Handy DIY Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner

Having good plumbing is very important to having a safe and healthy home. You may need to call a plumber for some of your issues, but it might not be possible because of money. The following article provides you with hints and tips that can help you update, maintain and repair your home’s plumbing system.

To keep your pipes from getting frozen, always maintain a temperature in the house above freezing and make sure all pipes exposed to outside elements are insulated properly. The pipes will be able to freeze if the temperature surrounding the pipes drops 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. They could also burst costing you a lot of money and repairs.

You should clean your septic tank every five years! This keeps the sediment from building in the tank, which can cause septic tank failure or backup into your house. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more.

Pass on seemingly convenient cleaning products like bleach tablets and blue toilet tabs. These products can be great when it comes to getting rid of odors, but unfortunately, they can cause significant damage to the rubber portions of your toilet. This can lead to it breaking down or having other issues.

If something is wrong with the disposal in your sink, avoid the temptation to stick your hand in there to fix it. Garbage disposals are not healthy places for hands to be, even if they are not running. Use a guide or the Internet to locate a blueprint of your disposal, or a troubleshooting manual.

Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. When they cool off, they become hard and will clog your pipes. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. The best thing to do is to dispose of oil-based liquids away from your sinks.

If you have the urge to fix that water leak that has been annoying you for the past few days, you can use the tips you just read to get started. Getting a plumber for the job that is effective, affordable, and has a proven record can end up being more difficult than fixing the pipes alone. These tips should be considered when making future decisions.