Helpful Home Plumbing Tips

When your faucet leaks, your toilet overflows or your sink is clogged, do you just shake your head in dismay and wait for a miracle? If yes, it is time that you learn a few handy skills so that you know what to do in case of a home plumbing emergency. Undergoing a plumbing course will equip you with knowledge on plumbing and give you intensive training on how to fix plumbing problems. But if that is not a priority for you right now, you will find these simple tips useful in case of home plumbing emergencies.

General tips

1. Be prepared. Don’t wait for a problem to occur before you go locate the main water supply switch or learn about how to unclog a drain or look for a plumber.
2. Don’t panic. Panicking will do you no good. Remain calm and always tell yourself that there’s always a solution to any home plumbing problem.
3. Know the plumbing system in your home. Educate your whole family about this. Locate and mark the main water supply shut off valves as well as other shut off valves for other fixtures.
4. Always have contact information of a professional ready. Even if you repair minor problems, it’s still best that you have the contact number and name of a professional plumber whom you can reach in case of a plumbing emergency. Put this information near the telephone or in a place, which you can easily get a hold of.
5. Maintenance and care is a good preventive measure for plumbing problems. For example, once a week, pour boiling water down the drain to prevent grease and debris build-up, which can lead to clogs.

Problems and solutions

There are various home plumbing problems but here are few of the most common ones:

1. Clogged drain. Use a plunger to rid of the clog. If this does not work, opt to use a plumber’s snake. You can also utilize drain cleaners but just be careful when using this because some contain strong chemicals that can damage the pipes. Consult with the manufacturer’s instructions before you pour a drain cleaner into your sink.

2. Toilet that continuously run. This is typically caused by a float rising too high. To fix this, bend the rod slightly downward to lower the float ball. Check the tank flapper and the other toilet components because this problem can also be caused by worn out parts. You may need to clean, adjust or replace these parts.

3. Stuck faucets. This problem can be solved by removing mineral deposits that are clogged into the faucet. You may also apply a thin coating of FSA-approved silicone grease to smoothen the faucet. Never use petroleum jelly.

4. Frozen pipes. Thaw frozen pipes using a hair dryer or towels dipped in hot water. Never expose it to direct heat. It is crucial that you are able to heat it slowly to prevent the pipe from breaking down. Home plumbing problems are not that hard to solve if you have the sufficient knowledge and skills on plumbing. But remember, if you were even just a little doubtful on your capability to fix a particular problem, it would be wiser to hire professional help. It’s always better safe than sorry.

Bert Bedgegood is a freelance investigative journalist.Get more information regarding Plumbing Courses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bert_Bedgegood