If you ever experienced a plumbing crisis, you know how devastating these can be. A burst pipe can transform a pristine room into a shallow body of water in minutes, damaging your flooring and furniture to the point of a renovation becoming necessary. Even a small leak can greatly increase the humidity, making it a breeding ground for all sorts of dangerous fungal growths. Managing such situations often requires you to call a professional – or, if you as the homeowner are sufficiently educated in the matter of plumbing, you can try to do it yourself.
Repairing your plumbing yourself has some advantages over calling for help, primarily that you have a much greater degree of control over the entire process. But to be able to efficiently and reliably manage your problems, you need to learn the ropes first.
To aid you in that regard, we’ve prepared a list of the essential plumbing tips that you should know, including making sure you have unobstructed access to your home shut-off valve, using plungers to clear out clogging, using Teflon tape to deal with small leaks, getting your piping winterized, and even regular cleaning of the miner buildup in your faucets. Read on and discover how easily some of the issues can be dealt with!
Familiarize Yourself With Your Home Shut-Off Valve
A properly functioning shut-off valve that leads to the water main is one of the most important elements of your plumbing. It’s the valve that you can use to fully cut off your home’s water supply and an emergency backup in case you need to shut off the valves individually in order to isolate a problem. But if you don’t know where it is, it won’t be of much use. Therefore, it’s vital to get a full understanding of where it’s located and how it works.
Usually, the valve is located near your water main, which is a pipe that runs from your street to your house. But depending on the layout of your home, it could be somewhere else as well. Therefore, you should always have an idea of where the shut-off valve is located and how to get there. This will allow you to prepare for a possible emergency and deal with burst pipes, water heater replacement, and other plumbing issues more quickly and efficiently.
Clean Your Faucets on a Regular Basis
One of the most common causes of clogging is the buildup of mineral deposits. These deposits form because of the presence of minerals in the water. Therefore, it’s a good idea to clean your faucets on a regular basis. This can be done by taking a wire brush and carefully brushing away the deposits. While you do so, you should regularly turn the water on and off to allow the buildup to wash down the drain. To deal with mineral deposits, you can also add vinegar into your faucet, allowing it to run for a couple of minutes before you turn it off. The vinegar will dissolve the deposits, leaving your faucets clean and free-flowing.
Use Plungers to Solve Clogging Issues
Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems, and they’re usually easily fixed with a plunger. If your sink or tub is clogged and won’t drain properly, as long as the clog isn’t too severe, a plunger should be able to clear it in just a few minutes. In order to make this process easier, simply pour some liquid dish detergent down the drain before plunging. The soap will help to break up the buildup, making it much easier for the plunger to do its work.
Keep Your Pipes Winterized
During cold months, water inside pipes may freeze and expand, potentially causing damage. Therefore, you should take preventative measures to avoid this situation. One way to do so is by winterizing your plumbing system before freezing temperatures set in. You can do this by simply wrapping the pipes with a layer of insulation. To keep the pipes warm and avoid condensation, you should also make sure that they are not in contact with cold walls or other surfaces.
Learn How to Use Teflon Tape to Deal With Small Leaks
Teflon tape is a great way to deal with a leaky pipe. While it’s not a permanent solution, it can be used to patch up a small leak between two connections. To do so, you should wrap the threads of the pipe with a layer of Teflon tape. The tape won’t only protect the connection from corrosion but will also stop water from leaking out. Therefore, it’s a great way to deal with minor leaks until you can get them repaired properly.
Conclusion
In today’s world, plumbing is one of the most important aspects of our daily lives. Flush toilets make it possible for us to live in large numbers in a relatively small area, while water heaters and pipes allow us to have hot showers, clean clothes, and fresh food at any time of the year. But while we are all aware of its importance, not everyone knows that some of the issues can be dealt with on your own. Hopefully, this guide will help you deal with some of the most common issues that occur in the modern home plumbing system. Good luck!
