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Installation problems often arise when they are least expected. You’ve likely been dealing with an installation issue or two late at night or over the weekend. Plumbing fees can be quite high during such times.
A plumber in Sydney fixing plumbing problems at night or on weekends will charge higher fees, especially for plumbing emergencies.
Fortunately, you can prevent installation problems from occurring or you can control the problem and have it fixed during normal business hours. Here are some pros and cons of plumbing that will keep your plumbing in top condition.
Avoid using the garbage disposal as a trash can
Some homeowners treat their garbage disposal like a trash can. Some do not know how to properly take care of disposal. Although it is referred to as garbage disposal, it is not another trash can.
Disposals are not designed to handle a lot of waste. Plus, they don’t process fibrous foods like potato peel and celery. So throwing away the wrong food in the disposal can lead to clogging.
Throw leftover food in a compost heap as much as possible. When you do your disposal, flush the drainage with plenty of water to remove the food from the drainage. This way you will prevent constipation from building up.
Avoid stuffing things under the sink
One of the most important plumbing fixtures in the sink’s drain system is the drain trap. The drain trap is a curved fitting that is located under the sink.
It prevents sewage gases from entering the house. The trap also catches small objects that fall down the sink drain, such as: B. Dirt and jewelry.
A trap is attached to the drain pipes with a screw connection at each end. The design makes it easy to remove when clogging and cleaning the drain. If the joints loosen, a leak will appear under the sink.
Squeezing objects under the sink can put pressure on the trap and loosen the joints. So keep the area under the sink free of clutter.
Avoid using caustic cleaners on old pipes
While chemical drain cleaners can often effectively clog the tub or tub drain, their caustic formulation can destroy old drain pipes.
As a result, the pipes can corrode and leak. So always use natural drain cleaners whenever you clog a slow drain.
Natural drain cleaners have an enzymatic effect. Although natural cleaners are slower than chemical cleaners, they are safer and gentler on old pipes.
Do not pour fat and oil into the drainage
Draining cooking oil, fat, and other fatty items down the drain can seriously clog the drain pipes. Serious clogs are often expensive to repair. Oils coagulate after cooling.
Once they solidify in drainpipes, they can cause serious clogging. So avoid pouring fats and oils down the drain. Instead, put any remaining oil in a container and dispose of it in the trash can.
Turn off the main water supply to your home before going on vacation
Coming home after a wonderful vacation only to be greeted by a flooded house can be extremely frustrating. Avoid such a plumbing disaster by making sure your home’s water supply is turned off at the meter.
Also, open some tub or sink taps on the lower floors to relieve water pressure from the utility lines. While it may seem like too much work, it helps prevent flood disaster and costly damage.
Let the faucets drip in winter
If you’ve ever had problems with frozen utility lines, it means they’ll likely freeze again as soon as the winter season knocks again.
If the utility lines freeze, you will have no water supply to your home. Frozen pipes are also prone to bursting.
You can avoid this problem by allowing some faucets to drip a little, especially at night or when you are leaving your home for several days. This way, no water will freeze in the pipes.
Know when to say no
There are several artisanal do-it-yourselfers who can fix minor installation problems themselves. However, if you are dealing with a large project, consider hiring a professional plumber to do it.
Solving a larger problem yourself can lead to costly repairs in case you make mistakes. Therefore, it is advisable to leave serious plumbing problems or large projects to the professionals.
Rinse the water heater annually
You can flush the water heater yourself. For instructions on how to flush the water heater, see your water heater’s instruction manual.
Rinsing will help remove mineral buildup and scale. Over time, mineral deposits can accumulate in the hot water tank, which impair its efficiency.
Although it looks like an easy task, it will help keep the water heater working for years to come. However, in case you don’t have enough confidence to do so, hire a plumber to do the flush for you.
Never throw rubbish in your toilet
Perhaps you have ever heard of discussions about the dangers of flushing rubbish down the toilet. Never flush items that should never be thrown into a toilet.
Items such as cat litter, cotton swabs, wet wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, and other such products do not disintegrate when soaked in water.
Flushing them can clog the drain pipes. Use the toilet only to flush human waste and toilet paper.
Never ignore pools of water around the toilet
Constant wetness or tiny puddles of water that build up in the base of your toilet should never be ignored.
They are signs of possible seal wear. The bottom of the toilet is usually sealed with a wax ring to prevent water from leaking. If the seal fails, water will leak and the subfloor will be damaged.
As a result, you may notice mold, rot, and other damage that can be very costly to repair. So if you notice pools of water around your toilet, replace the gasket as soon as possible.
Know how to inspect pipes for leaks
If your water bill suddenly went up but you haven’t changed your water usage pattern, you likely have a leaking utility line. In this case, turn off your water devices and taps.
Then check the main water meter. If the water meter is moving, it means there is water flowing somewhere in your house and the flow is likely due to a leak.
Just turn off your home’s main water supply at the meter and call a local plumber to fix the leak.
Don’t mess with sewers
If there is one plumbing system that you shouldn’t mess with is the sewer system. If there is a sewer under your property, be careful not to damage it.
Although a sewer line is usually buried, it can easily collapse if you drive heavy equipment over it.
Also, avoid digging the area where the sewer line is buried as you can accidentally burst it. Repairing sewer pipes is quite expensive. So don’t mess with one.
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This content is sponsored by David Whyte.
Photo: Shutterstock
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