Handy DIY Plumbing Tips For The Homeowner
Some tips on how to start with plumbing makes a great start for beginners. Below are some tips that will hopefully assist you into making better decisions and to start maintaining your own home system. You need it to work effectively, so it is to your benefit to learn something from these tips.
Plumbing that constantly squeaks, pounds, and emits other noises is irritating but, fortunately, the problem is often easily fixed. Exposed pipes need to be anchored. If pipes are located in the floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.
Home Plumbing
Install screen traps or drain covers on all of your sinks and tub drains. Most home plumbing calls are about clogged pipes. These can be caused by debris, especially hair, washing down the drains. Putting in a trap means that you can clean this debris off before it ends up in the pipes.
DIY Plumbing
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. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.
How do you flush water pipes in your home?
Give time to read this wonderful post from Landmark because you’ll get a lot of ideas and tips from it.
Home Repair
When purchasing new plumbing fixtures, you might want to consider brass ones. Brass models pose the advantages of durability and longevity. In addition, brass fixtures are more aesthetically appealing than fixtures made of other materials. These fixtures are sold in most hardware and home improvement stores.
These tips should have given you some much needed insight on where to start and how to begin with your own plumbing jobs at home. These tips were thoughtfully compiled to help the plumbing beginner learn the basics and some other cool techniques that are simple enough to use for everyday maintenance and repair.
The confusion of home plumbing can easily be avoided if homeowners take certain precautions and perform proper maintenance. Prevent a visit from a costly plumbing repair service and show your home plumbing system a little love over this Valentine’s Day by partaking in these easy tasks suggested by residential plumbers:
Check for leaks
Even the smallest leak in your faucets and pipes can lead to unmanageable flooding if not noticed or taken care of immediately. The resulting damage can require substantial home and plumbing repair which can be quite costly. Therefore, it is important to check all exterior walls, unheated basements, garages and crawl spaces, especially those areas that lack insulation. Little to no insulation leaves pipes more vulnerable to the elements and therefore they are more likely to crack and leak. Getting in contact with a residential plumber can also be useful as they can help you scope out trouble areas and can give you an overview of how to prepare and maintain your plumbing over the winter months.
Drain and insulate
Draining and insulating all outdoor faucets and pipes in your home plumbing system before the winter sets in is a must as any water that gets trapped in those pipes can freeze, expand, and then crack, break, or burst the pipes. Securing these exterior pipes can help you avoid dealing with property damages and unpleasant plumbing repair.
Here are some ways to prepare your exterior pipes for the winter:
– Drain and disconnect all garden hoses and use a hose bib or faucet cover to insulate your outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures.
– For irrigation systems, shut off the water flow into the system and drain all water from the pipes.
For further assistance in preventing costly plumbing repairs, most residential plumbers can help you with the draining and insulating process for your home plumbing.
Weatherproof trouble areas
The next step is to look out for areas containing exposed plumbing. Doorways, windows, and vent fans should be checked to make sure their seals remain tight. If a seal is loose, it can be fixed up with caulking to avert your home plumbing from freezing. Also make sure to repair and cracked windows as they can lead to freezing temperatures coming in contact with your plumbing and will result in expensive plumbing repair costs.
Insulate exposed pipes
Instead of sealing off all airflow in your home, which can potentially lead to mold growth, you should make sure your pipes are properly insulated so that they can stand up against cold winter air. As an easy and inexpensive procedure, insulating your home plumbing is the way to go. It can be as easy as installing foam tubing or towels around your pipes and can help your water heater retain heat (and therefore lower those pricey energy bills). Vulnerable pipes near electrical sources should be insulated with electrical heating tape. Heat tape, which can be wrapped around the pipes, is a great tool for providing just enough heat to keep your pipes from freezing.
Keep indoor pipes warm
Though many of the wintertime home plumbing issues are due to outdoor pipes, you mustn’t forget about your indoor plumbing. Indoor pipes can also freeze in cold weather, so doing things such as opening cabinet doors to expose your pipes to your home’s heat can help prevent internal home plumbing issues. For when you plan on being away from home for an extended period of time, make sure to set your interior thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Letting your indoor faucets drip steadily when the temperature outside drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit can help prevent pipes from bursting and causing serious damages.
Sign up for a home plumbing maintenance program
As residential plumbers recommend, keeping a close eye on and maintaining your home plumbing system regularly can save you from spending lots of time and money on damages and repairs. You can also consider signing up for a plumbing maintenance program so that you will know what to do in case of a plumbing problem. These programs can help extend the life of your appliances and ensure your plumbing warranties stay up-to-date. Partaking in a plumbing maintenance program will set your mind at ease as your home plumbing will be in capable hands.
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