All homes dispose of wastewater in one of two ways — a septic tank or a sewer line. While there are advantages and disadvantages to each, homeowners are typically not in a position to choose between the two.
Homeownership involves a good deal of responsibility of every kind – and plumbing is definitely no exception. Whether you’re a proud first-time homeowner, or have just never given much thought about how water travels through your home-sweet-home, there are some basics about plumbing that you need to be familiar with.
For those who until recently were renters, don’t wait to realize that there’s no apartment complex manager or landlord to handle plumbing emergencies for you – and that the repair cost isn’t going to be covered by the property owner – because the property owner is now you!
Therefore, homeowners have great incentive to be knowledgeable about plumbing fundamentals, and practice regular maintenance and good housekeeping to prevent expensive problems that can result in serious damage. In the interest of education, here’s what every homeowner should know.
Your home is your most important investment
The popular saying, “Your home is your most important investment” is true for most people. Unless you’re a billionaire who owns numerous luxury properties and businesses, much of your financial worth is based upon your home. As such, it deserves time and attention.
However, don’t feel that you need strong DIY skills to keep up with your plumbing. It’s great if you feel comfortable making simple repairs – like fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a toilet flapper – but being observant is more important. Knowing what to look for, how to look for it and when to look for it are essential to being proactive so you can call a professional plumber in a timely manner. Writing for the Flo by Moen blog, Arthur Brodskiy notes the following.
“Within your home is a complex network of pipes, drains and appliances that all work together to make your life easier. We tend to forget about things we don’t see, and plumbing systems mostly operate away from the naked eye. But just like everything else, your plumbing is subject to wear and tear. And the best way to avoid a disaster is with a good knowledge of basic plumbing problems and solutions.”
Herewith are the basics:
Know the location of your water main – If a pipe bursts, you need to immediately shut off the water supply to your house. Knowing where your water main is and how to shut it off will save valuable time and prevent further water damage. The location should have been pointed out when you bought the house – or be included in the property inspection report – but if it wasn’t, home improvement professional Lee Wallender provides advice for locating it in his article for The Spruce.
“Typically, it will be located on the perimeter of the house, since that is where the water first enters your house. Also, stay on the side of the house that is facing the street. Your water main begins at the street and heads in a straight line to your home. When you find the valve, turn the handle or knife-style valve.”
Should you be unable to locate your shut-off valve here, Wallender writes that there is another valve located at the beginning of your water main, at the boundary line of your property and the street or sidewalk. “Find the ground-level metal or plastic utility box trap door located at ground level. Call the water company’s 24-hour emergency contact line. Staff may direct you to shut off the valve by yourself or to wait for an emergency dispatch team.”
However, avoid making this the last-ditch effort. Take the time now to locate your primary water main shut-off value so you’re not scrambling around the yard in a panic should the worst occur.
Clear and prevent clogged drains – This is the most common plumbing issue for homeowners. Wallender advises against depending on liquid drain cleaners, as they can eventually harm your plumbing infrastructure. Owners of older homes – especially homes with cast-iron pipes – need to be especially cautious. Using a snake or similar tool to pull out debris is preferable. Our blog post – “What Should You Do If Your Shower Drain is Clogged?” – provides additional easy, non-chemical methods.
Prevent (or delay) clogs by using a hair catcher over drains, pouring plain boiling water down drains (or similar method as described in our blog post referenced above) and never pour oil down any drain.
Look after your toilet well – This essential, frequently used fixture is too often taken for granted. As we always say, only three things should be flushed – one of which is toilet paper. No tissues, baby wipes, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products or cigarette butts. Some baby wipe brands claim to be flushable, but they aren’t. Just as a reminder, here’s what baby wipes can do to a sewer pipe.
Learn how to use a plunger. Be sure you buy one specifically designed for toilets, as it will create the proper suction to dislodge the clog.
If your toilet runs between flushes, the components inside the tank have probably deteriorated, as they do over time. Those with rudimentary DIY skills can buy the “guts” of the toilet tank pre-packaged at home improvement centers. Only the flapper valve may need replacing, or the entire assembly is past its useful life. Use food coloring to check for leaks, as you may not always hear the sound of leaking water. Add a few drops to the tank water. If it makes its way to the bowl water, you have a leak.
Respect your garbage disposal – A garbage disposal really can’t handle everything people put in it. Our blog post – “Is Your Garbage Disposal Clogged?” covers the list of all the materials that you should never run down – such as bones, fibrous vegetables, nuts, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, egg shells, cigarette butts, glass – and, of course, oils, grease and fats. The last three solidify once they cool, which will cause a buildup in your pipes. Run some cold water for a few seconds before and after using the garbage disposal. Occasionally feeding it ice cubes will sharpen the blades.
Look out for leaks – Water leaks can occur anywhere in your home – some you can see, but many are not visible, hidden behind the wall. Always be on the lookout for discolored spots on your walls or ceilings. Also notice if your water bill has suddenly increased for seemingly no reason. Other telltale signs include a drop in water pressure and a musty odor in your house. This last sign indicates mold growth, which means that structural damage is occurring – and constitutes a health hazard. Fixing a pipe leak behind drywall is not a DIY project. Make it a practice to check around water fixtures and appliances for leaks.
Don’t ignore dripping faucets – While the steady drip-drip-drip of a faucet is annoying, this issue wastes water and drives up your water bill. Our blog post – “Should You Repair or Replace Your Faucet?” – covers this issue, as well as helps you determine if you can do it yourself, or need to hire a pro.
Learn how to clean your faucets and showerheads – Mineral buildup occurs in faucets, sprayers and showerheads over time. You can soak these fixtures in vinegar and gently scrub off the buildup.
Being proactive pays off
As we hope you’ve gathered, being observant and checking potential trouble spots on a regular basis can help prevent an emergency situation. The Pink Plumber offers more valuable advice that’s geared toward new homeowners. Tips include the following.
When to call a pro?
Some homeowners have the experience and know-how to tackle a range of plumbing repairs and replacements. Others believe they’ll break anything they touch. Most homeowners are between these two extremes. Our team of master plumbers at Adams and Son Plumbing recommend taking the cautious approach. If you are not mechanically inclined, or don’t feel that you have the physical capability to do the job, you should not go out of your comfort zone – even if you may be willing to risk it to save money. A botched plumbing project will ultimately cost more – not only in fixing the original problem, but in repairing the additional damage that occurred during the process.
When in doubt, contact us! We are a family-owned business with over 60 years of providing residential and commercial service throughout Central Florida. A state-certified plumbing contractor, we have over three generations of master plumbing experience. Call today to learn more and schedule a service appointment to keep your home’s plumbing in top condition. We welcome the opportunity to become your dependable family plumber!
The post What Should Homeowners Know About Plumbing? appeared first on Adams and Son Plumbing Services.
If the answer is “no” then we want to help you change that today.
Having a gas line in your home is one of the best things you can do for your space. If you’re moving into a new home and you’re debating on getting one of these lines, then we’re here to give you the information you need to make that decision. We’re also here to help you out.
Many homeowners don’t realize that they need a professional plumber for their gas line. It’s the wisest decision for you to make if you’re looking for a gas line that’s going to be effective, long-lasting, and ultimately safe too. We’re going to help you get exactly what you need. We have the best plumbers in Sanford, IL.
Here are all the reasons you should consider installing a natural gas line in your home:
Natural gas can power most of the appliances in your home. Natural gas is great because it directly applies heat to your home. You’re also able to control temperatures more precisely with natural gas as opposed to using a gas stove or even an electric power source. It’s the most efficient way to get heat or power into your home.
You never have to worry about running out of power with a gas line. Kiss the days of fuel exchanges, empty cylinders, or even refills goodbye when you come to the professionals on our team for the work you need.
Natural gas is a cost-effective option. Natural gas-run appliances use less energy and therefore less money. This means that you can enjoy lower utility bills every month.
You can also wave goodbye to the day of inhaling smoke from your outdoor barbecue. A natural gas line opens up avenues to help your home. You’re going to help out your personal health and your home health with one of these systems.
You need a natural gas line if you need a versatile method of powering your home. You can power so many things with a natural gas line. Come to our professionals and we’ll install it perfectly.
Gas lines are safe! If you’re making the switch from a gas cylinder, then you probably know that these comes with a high risk. So much can go wrong. Switching over to a gas line can make your home a lot safe. Just make sure that you have a professional plumber do the work for you. We’re the only ones who can provide you with quality work.
We know that you probably love your home and you might not even be thinking about selling it any time soon, but it’s always a great idea to think ahead. Having a natural gas line is the best when it comes to your home’s property value. This is what buyers on the market are looking for. It’s the fan favorite way of powering a home.
Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. to schedule an appointment with our professionals.
This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com
Let’s be honest, how many hot days are we going to see in October? How about the heatwaves in November? Here in New Jersey, things are about to get very chilly and unless your air conditioner is a heat pump, it’s time to put it into hibernation.
Does that mean you can just forget about it? Absolutely not! There are some things you should definitely do when it comes to cleaning up your HVAC in Clifton, NJ. Putting your air conditioner away for the season requires some thought. Otherwise, you’ll be disappointed when next summer rolls along and you encounter problems.
From last-minute repairs to keeping the area around your air conditioner clean and concise, you can help keep your AC system in good shape as we encounter the cold temperatures to come. Keep reading and make sure to print out or write down our end of the year AC checklist.
Remember, anything you miss about your air conditioner this year is still going to be there next year. Just because you’ve made it through the whole summer without getting that necessary repair, doesn’t mean it will go away. In fact, that repair need could be much worse when you start needing your cooling system next spring or summer. So, let’s take care of putting this system away the right way.
We operate under a general rule of thumb here—take care of repair needs while they’re recent. If your air conditioner is short-cycling, running inefficiently, or having trouble keeping you cool, why not call us during the slower fall season? Sure, you might feel like you don’t need these repairs right now, but you will when next cooling season rolls around. Plus, repair needs can become much worse when you let your air conditioner sit and gather dust. Repairing the system now is a great proactive step in keeping your system in good condition.
You don’t really need to worry about the indoor components of your air conditioner. Sure, it’s important to keep your air vents and ducts clean because of both your air conditioner and your furnace. However, what we’re talking about is the outdoor component of your air conditioner. It’s important to keep about two feet of cleaned area around your AC’s outdoor cabinet. This helps keep it clear of rocks, dirt, water, critters, and other things that might become an unpleasant surprise when you turn on the system next year. It helps to use an AC cover when your system isn’t running, or even just a tarp that’s tied down.
This might seem straightforward but so many homeowners forget this part. If you fail to turn your air conditioner off completely this year, you could encounter problems. Every once in awhile in December or January, there might be an especially warm day that triggers your thermostat to turn your AC on. This could be devastating for your energy bill but bad for your air conditioner as well, since it could be covered in snow or ice that gives it trouble as it tries to cool you down.
Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc for responsible AC repairs at the end of the year.
This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com