There may come a time when you have issues with your plumbing, whether it's a clogged sink or plugge...

1. Small Leak? Pointer On Ways to Know What You Can Do Or
When You Need To Call A Plumbing professional
There may come a time when you have issues with your plumbing, whether it's a clogged sink or
plugged up toilet. Check out the tips and suggestions in the article below that will show you easy
things you can do on your own to solve these issues, and save a
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,193799,00.html call to a plumber.
Basic problems with toilets can be a quick fix for even the rawest amateur plumber and is worth
attempting if you can take the time to research the problem. Seek out the necessary part or parts
from your local hardware store and ask for support in how to properly install them.
You can check your toilet for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring, Kool Aid or some coffee
grounds to the water in the toilet's tank (not the water in the bowl). Check the water in the bowl
after a half hour or so. If any of the coloring agent is visible in the water in the bowl, the tank is
leaking, and you will have to have it repaired.
Avoid the bursting of pipes due to the change in the temperature. You need to allow the flow of heat
to reach under the sinks and into the pipes, you have to keep the cabinet doors of the bathrooms and
kitchens open. It is important to keep water running at both hot and cold faucets along with vanities
that are in close proximity to exterior walls.
Check how well your toilets are flushing. If the handle needs to be played with in order to keep the
water from running constantly, or if it needs to be held down several times in order to flush, you may
need to switch out some of the parts in your tank. This is not expensive, and it could help reduce
your monthly water bill. It could also mean that you avoid the embarrassment of the flushing system
breaking when you have visitors!
Do not let your faucet leak. Did you know a leaky faucet can waste about 150 gallons of water every
day? If you have a leak, never ignore it. It could be coming from the faucet or the pipes. Continually
check chicago plumbers union pipes and faucets for extra moisture or small leaks.
Everyone in your home should know where the main water shut off valve is. By knowing where to
find this valve, you'll be able to shut off the water in the event a pipe bursts, a bathtub or toilet
overflows or any other emergency that requires you to turn off the water.
When you wash your hands, be sure that you have not left any soap on the faucet handles. What
people do not know is that leaving soap on these fixtures can cause fixtures to corrode. Just take two
seconds after you are done washing your hands to remove excess soap from the handles.
If you are using a slower head, see to it that you replace it with one that has good quality. Some
people think it's alright to get the cheapest head for your shower in the store. Inexpensive shower
heads are not terribly sturdy, though, and may not hold up to daily use.
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.

2. In any DIY plumbing project, make sure that you always test the drains and the supply lines before
you close up the walls. It is a lot easier to find and solve problems if you look for them while you are
still in the process of actively doing the job.
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.
If you have a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is due to food debris buildup. You
need to put ice cubes, orange peels, and lemon peels into the disposal and run for about 30 seconds.
Next, run some liquid dish soap through the disposal. This should take care of the problem if there is
not a substantial blocking buildup.
The key to finding a great plumber for new construction is to look at their prior jobs. Good plumbers
take pride in the work they do, so they will have photos and references from previous jobs. If the
plumber you are considering hiring does not have references or photos of previous jobs, then stay
away and find another.
When you are working with plumbing, you also need
to have some basic skills in other areas. This is
especially true of electrical problems, as the two
systems often overlap. This doesn't mean that you
need to solve the problems, but that you understand
what the problems could be.
If you live in a very cold area, think about using heat
tape and pipe wrap to protect the pipes that might
be exposed to the cold. Do not settle for cheap
materials that would not protect your plumbing
system from the cold efficiently. Make sure you
protect your whole plumbing system.
Make sure that you avoid throwing fats down the
drain after you clean up your meal. Fats can solidify
over time which can cause a drainage problem and corrupt your water flow. Throw out fats and
different types of cooking oils in the garbage after you finish with your meal.
Don't overlook the hair dryer trick for frozen pipes. If you have external pipes that are exposed, a
simple hair dryer will get them back into working order. Make sure that you do not attempt it if
there is pooling water in the area. Space heaters are useful for frozen pipes that are in the walls.
In conclusion, it is important that you back yourself up with a great base knowledge of plumbing.
Ideally, you were able to find this article both informative and interesting. Use this great information
and you will find that you will save a lot of money, as opposed to having to hire a professional.