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Did you know most Americans can’t come up with 400 dollars for an emergency? Learn some basic maintenance skills and save money. If you want to learn some plumbing solutions, we can help.
6 Plumbing Tasks Every Homeowner Should Know
In this guide, we’ll go over plumbing tips to try at home.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Learn How to Shut off the Water
Most houses have a series of shut-off valves for the entire property or certain fixtures.
You should go around your home and mark the locations of these fixtures. This way, you can find them ahead of time before any emergencies.
Sink faucets tend to have stop valves below the cabinet. Look for a valve near the main water meter to shut off the water to your entire home.
2. Clean the Sink Trap
Sink drains have a J-shape bend to catch debris. If the sink trap gets clogged, you’ll begin to notice that your sink will drain slowly. It’s possible to remove the sink trap.
Use a bottle brush to clear out the debris.
3. Unclog Your Toilets
Don’t call a plumber every time your toilet gets clogged. Homeowners should be able to use a plunger to get rid of the clog. You could also look at buying an auger.
If your drain is clearing slowly, don’t pick up expensive chemical cleaners. Instead, try unclogging the drain with a snake drain.
First, insert the drain snake into the drain and haul it out. Usually, the clog gets attached to the snake drain.
You could also try a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the clog.
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4. Check the Water Heater’s Thermostat
You want to make sure the water heater isn’t set too high. Go down to 115 degrees.
You’ll have plenty of hot water for your home. Make sure the water heater tank’s insulated. This way, the hot water will stay hot longer. Some utilities will offer a free insulating blanket that’s easy to install.
5. Get Rid of the Sediment From Water Heater
Some people live in areas where sediment collects in the lines fast. Sediment will also collect quickly in a system that uses a well. The sediment makes your water heater run less efficiently.
Remove the grit by draining a quart of water from the tank every three months. Turn off the water heater. Open the drain into a bucket or a steel bowl.
You’ll get rid of a lot of the sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank.
6. Stop a Leak
If you find a water leak, you can stop it temporarily until a plumber can fix the issue. Turn off the water valve. Make sure you dry the area, as well.
The leaks often get caused by a more significant problem like a broken pipe.
Learn more about how to check for plumbing leaks.
Now You Know Some Basic Plumbing Tips
We hope this guide on plumbing was helpful. Use these essential plumbing tips to fix issues at home before calling a plumber.
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