Friday, September 28, 2012

Save A Fortune With These Plumbing Tips


Doing your own plumbing can be an important part of your home improvement. You need to do all of your research, so that you don't wind up losing a ton of money or destroying your home and your stuff. There are some tips listed here to help you begin with it.

<DIV style='float: left; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> Many people complain of low water pressure. While there are several things that can cause this, one must not be overlooked when starting your investigation.</small></DIV></DIV>

Drain the sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater twice a year to keep the hot water heater working at its optimal levels. Simply open the drain valve and allow the water to run out into a bucket until the water runs clear. Then close the drain valve.

If you are remodeling your house, take pictures of the inside of your walls, ceilings and floors. You will be able to have a clear idea of where your pipes are located in case you need to do maintenance later. You should also consult your pictures if you want to drill holes in your walls.

<DIV style='float: right; width: 150px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 5px;'><DIV style='background-color: #FFFFCC; color: #000000;'><small><font color='#FF0000'><b>TIP!</b></font> If you have noisy pipes, you can cushion them with a rubber blanket or add additional anchor straps. Banging pipes are usually caused by loose pipes, water hammering to a stop as you turn it off, or hot water pipes shifting in their position.</small></DIV></DIV>

If you toilet is clogged up, the water is low and a plunger doesn't work you could try dumping warm water from a bucket into the toilet from waist level or higher. You should repeat dumping warm water in the bowl when necessary and if the water gets low again.

Do not put cooking oils, fat, or grease, down your drain. These fats cause clogs by solidifying in pipes. To properly dispose of fats, put them in a bowl with a lid that you can dispose of. Once it gets hard, throw it in the trash or compost bin.

Doing your own plumbing can be very rewarding, but it can also be a lot of work. Regardless, if you know what to do and how to do your plumbing properly. So, do yourself a favor by doing your research and applying these tips to your home plumbing endeavors.