The Plumber’s Secret: 4 Plumbing Tips From the Experts
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Being a homeowner can be challenging. Owning a property means that you need to take care of it and address house-related problems once they manifest. Plumbing issues are one of them. General plumbing problems may include:
Dripping faucets that waste not only your water but also your money;
Leaky pipes that can damage your home’s structure;
Running toilets that can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day;
Clogged drains that result in waste build-up over time;
Low water pressure that can drastically impact water consumption; and the like.
These nuances have to be addressed as soon as possible before they turn into something much worse. And for that, you may check out Fergusons Plumbing on Twitter or consult with any professional plumbing services in your area. These professional plumbers are equipped not only with the right skills and knowledge but also with highly advanced tools and gadgets to address every issue effectively.
But if you lack the budget to call and work with plumbing companies, you may consider learning a few tips and tricks from the experts to prevent or mitigate the issues yourself. Here are some of them:
1. Don’t Flush Items That Are Marked As ‘Flushable’
One of the most important rules in maintaining a healthy plumbing system is to avoid flushing items in your toilet. These include tissues, small toys (if you have kids at home), paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and other pieces of garbage.
In addition, even those materials labeled ‘flushable’ shouldn’t be flushed in the john. What you can do best is to dispose of them properly in your garbage bags instead. Over time, these things will cause massive buildup and clog your toilet. So, always remind yourself not to make your toilet a second trash bin.
2. Avoid Using Extremely Harmful Chemicals
Cleaning solutions are most effective when removing hard stains and killing microorganisms that linger on your surfaces. At some point, you want them to be as strong as possible to ensure the cleanliness of your home. But are they safe enough to use?
Strong cleaning solutions often contain harmful chemicals that may cause serious adverse reactions not only to your health but also to your plumbing system. Yes, you read that right. These harmful chemicals can damage your pipes, causing them to corrode over time. When that happens, your pipes will weaken, making them vulnerable to leaks you can’t easily notice.
That said, here are some harmful cleaners you’d want to avoid:
Corrosive drain cleaners, such as toilet bowl and oven cleaners;
Cleaners containing a significant amount of bleach and ammonia; and the like.
Instead of using these substances, you may try using natural cleaning agents. These are materials that don’t contain harmful and extremely toxic substances.
3. Follow The Sounds Carefully
Get your ears always on guard and carefully listen to the sound of running water. You have to check it out right away, as it can mean a couple of things such as:
Dripping faucets;
Leaky pipes;
Running toilets; and others.
Dripping faucets are fixed by replacing the entire faucet or the damaged part. Leaky pipes may indicate a clog within (which can lead to bursting of pipes) or corrosion. Damaged pipes have to be replaced with new ones immediately. And when it comes to running toilets, you have to replace the valve that provides the seal inside the tank.
If you need help addressing the issues mentioned, consider hiring a plumber right away. Doing all the work yourself may result in more serious issues.
4. Get Rid Of Mineral Deposits
Unfiltered tap water often contains a few minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. These minerals may form buildup over time and clog your drains, faucets, and showerheads. Ignoring these issues can cause detrimental problems, such as bursting pipes and leakages.
To prevent such cases, be sure to clean your faucets and showerheads every six months. Remove the parts and soak them in vinegar with baking soda. The sodium in the baking soda and the acid in the vinegar will help get rid of the mineral deposits stuck in your plumbing.
It’s recommended that you steer clear of using harsher and stronger cleaning agents for they may contribute to faster pipe and plumbing deterioration over time.
Final Words
Plumbing issues are a nuisance and ignoring them has detrimental effects on you and your family. Luckily, the expert tips enumerated above will be able to help. Yet don’t forget to ask professional plumbers for help whenever necessary, especially when the issue is too hard for you to handle all on your own.