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To many, their home plumbing system is a myriad of pipes and valves that seem impossible to decipher, let alone know what to do with in the event of a plumbing problem! For your own good and for the good of your home, it is better to have some knowledge of your home plumbing system to save you an unnecessary headache should something go wrong.
Here are some handy home plumbing tips for beginners taking their first steps into the world of home plumbing!
If you are unfortunate enough to discover a leak in one of your pipes, the first thing you should do is turn off the water supply entering your home. By doing this, you can prevent a small leak turning into a major leak and you’ll also minimise the water damage to your home. Make sure you know where the water shutoff valve is located (normally under the sink).
A clogged drain is a common occurrence in the home and is something that can be easily rectified without the assistance of a professional plumber. If your drain is clogged, you may be able to unblock it using a traditional plunger and some elbow grease. Alternatively, you can use a baking soda and vinegar solution, which is known for its effectiveness in the successful clearance of a badly clogged drain.
Your showerhead and taps can be hugely affected by lime scale, especially if you live in a hard water area. If lime scale is a problem for you, there are plenty of supermarket fixes that will clear the scale away. If you prefer a more environmentally friendly option, you can also use white vinegar to dissolve the scale from your fixtures.
If your home is connected to a private septic tank, it is vitally important that you adhere to its maintenance schedule. A standard septic tank will require pumping every two to three years, although, how regular it really needs to be done will depend on the size of your septic tank and the size of your family. If you don’t empty your septic tank when you should, you may have to deal with sinks, drains and plumbing fixtures not working and also blocking up with raw sewage.
In the colder winter months, freezing pipes can cause a major headache. The best way to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze over is to insulate any pipes that are located on outside walls or in the attic. During extremely cold weather, letting your taps drip through the night will also prevent them from freezing over.
These beginner home plumbing tips are just some of the basics that you need to know. Following what has just been said above will allow you to ably address some basic home plumbing issues that you may face in the future. However, you should always call in the services of a professional plumber if you feel that you are out of your depth with your plumbing situation.
