Big house, small house, old house, new house, we all suffer our fair share of plumbing nightmares. Most of the times, we may not have contact details of a good plumber and before we end up in a bigger mess, it is crucial to learn a few plumbing skills. If you know that the problem is more than you can handle, do not attempt to DIY. It's a waste of time and you will end up paying more to the plumbers who come to fix the mess. Word of caution: Always wear thick, rubber gloves that are resistant to chemicals.
To fix easy plumbing problems, most plumbers suggest owning some basic plumbing tools. These are:
An adjustable wrench
Basin Wrench
A pair of pliers
Screwdrivers
Philips head and common kinds
Pipe Dope/Teflon Tape
Pipe Vises
Toilet plunger
Toilet auger
Washers
Common plumbing issues are:
Clogged drains:
What would you do if you dropped a family heirloom or your engagement ring? The problem could also be bigger. Say, your main drain is blocked. In this case, if you don't want to tackle the problem yourself, it is wise to call in the experts. In the first case, things you should do are:
1.Beneath the sink, is the 'P' trap or the 'S' trap(these are both shapes). Place a chemical resistant bucket, wear thick chemical resistant gloves and wear protective goggles to safeguard your eyes.
2.Release the two nuts of the 'P' trap's couplings. Use a wrench. After the pipe is free, retrieve the item.
3.This is a good time to check plombier washers and replace them if necessary. This will prevent further leaks etc.
Simple Ways of Cleaning a Sink Drain:
Pour in copious quantities of hot water after each single use. Make sure there are no clumps of hair, dirt and other particles blocking it.
There are two simple and easy ways to clean drains and avoid odors. Clean it by dropping a handful of baking soda into the kitchen drain, once every week. On the other hand, you can also use hot tap water mixed with 1 c. vinegar or lemon juice in and let it stand for 30 minutes. Rinse it well.
Purchase a drain cleaner liquid. Make sure the chemicals used in the solution are compatible to the materials of your bathroom pipes, fittings etc. Once a month is sufficient to keep your drains clean and unclogged.
Why not opt for a natural cleaning solution to unclog drains? The world wide web is a great resource of finding ingredients to make natural drain unclogging solutions.
How To Tackle Noisy Pipes:
When water pressure is more than 50 pounds psi, this causes noisy pipes. Other reasons can be loose pipes or even air chambers that are filled with water.
Avoid using galvanized straps on copper pipes.
In case pipes are loose, fix them up with straps or hangers as required to stop movement.
Other Plumbing Problems:
Broken Water Heaters
Clogged Plumbing Vents
Clogged Showers
Frozen Pipes
Leaking Pipes
Plumbing Emergencies
Preventing Kitchen Drain Clogs
Sink Sprays Diverters
Shower Heads
Only try to tackle the problems if you know your way around a wrench and other basic plumbing tools. This is not child's a play and require extreme care. When in doubt, call the experts.
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