Plumbing is one of the oldest trades and one that has been perfected over time. While we can’t all be plumbers, there are some essential things every homeowner should know about plumbing so you can be prepared for any of those unfortunate situations when your pipes burst or your toilet starts leaking.
At times, plumbing problems can be a headache, but they don’t have to be. While major plumbing issues are best left to professional plumbers in London, KY, having some knowledge and skills can help homeowners handle minor plumbing tasks and prevent potential problems.
In this article, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best plumbing hacks that every homeowner should know. From unclogging your sink with toothpaste to fixing a toilet that won’t stop running, these tips will help you keep your home in up-to-date shape so you can concentrate on the important things in life—like binge-watching Game of Thrones or taking your dog for a walk.
Let’s find out.
Best Plumbing Pro Tips
Here are some plumbing hacks that every homeowner should know:
Locate and Label Shut-off Valves
Knowing where each valve is in your house can help you bypass a lot of unnecessary stress when it comes to fixing leaks or shutting down water flow during repairs. Make sure to label each valve so that even if there’s an emergency, everyone knows which valves to turn off and when.
Keep an Emergency Plumber’s Kit
It’s not forever possible to get help from a professional plumber when something goes wrong with your plumbing system—sometimes, it just happens at night or on the weekend! That’s why every homeowner should always keep an emergency plumber’s kit on hand (just like this one). The kit contains everything you need for minor repairs around the house: wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and more!
Prevent Frozen Pipes
If you live in an area with typical freezing temperatures, you should probably know how to prevent frozen pipes and plumbing tips. It’s not as easy as just turning up the heat—when the temperature outside gets too cold, plumbing hacks glueing PVC to copper can still freeze. To keep them from getting frozen, you need to insulate them properly. This can be done by wrapping them with insulation or covering them with water-resistant tape. You can even wrap them with heat tape or turn on a low-temperature pilot light in your basement to keep them warm at night while you’re sleeping!
Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
There’s nothing worse than trying to clean up a clogged drain, only for the chemical drain cleaner to backfire and cause more damage than good. The best way to avoid this chaos is by only periodically pouring boiling water down the drain—it loosens any gunk that has built up!
Invest in High-Quality Tools
A lot of people think that if they buy cheap tools, they’ll end up saving money. In reality, though, these tools tend to break down faster than their high-quality counterparts and end up costing more in the long run. If you’re doing major repairs around your house, invest in quality tools and make sure they stay sharp. You will end up saving time and money in the long run!
Regularly Clean Faucet Aerators
Faucet aerators are made up of tiny holes that help reduce water flow rates. These small holes are often clogged with mineral deposits and other debris that can lead to reduced water pressure or even leaks inside your home. To prevent this matter from happening again in the future, simply try these plumbing hacks for leaking taps. Use an aerator brush every few weeks to remove any buildup inside your aerator before it causes any damage!
Fix a Running Toilet
To fix a running toilet, first, turn off the water supply valve and flush the toilet to drain as much water as possible. If standing water is in the bowl, use a plunger to loosen any clogs. If this doesn’t work, you may need to remove the tank from your toilet and replace it with one that has a new flapper or ballcock.
Check Your Water Heater
Water heaters should be checked for corrosion every year. This can be done by turning off the power source to your water heater and testing for an electrical current with an electrical tester (if there is none, then there’s no power going through it). Next, check for rust on the outside of your water heater by looking for streaks or stains on its surface—these are signs of corrosion. Finally, look at your gas supply lines: if they’re not insulated properly, then they may have been leaking gas over time which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if left unattended!
Fix Leaky Faucets Promptly
If you have a leaky faucet, fixing it as soon as possible is important. The longer you wait, the more water you’ll lose—and the more money you’ll spend on your water bill.
Test Your Sump Pump
You must test your sump pump regularly to ensure it’s working properly and ready in case of an emergency. You can fill a bucket with water and place it under the pump. If the pump doesn’t turn on when it detects water around its base, you must immediately call a professional plumber for repairs or replacement.
Unclog Drains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you have a clogged drain, but don’t feel like calling a plumber for drain cleaning services in London, KY, try pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain. The blend of these two ingredients will help clear up the blockage and make your drain run smoothly again. Just make sure you don’t use too much of either ingredient, or it could damage your pipes.
Use Thread Seal Tape
If you have a leak in your faucet, there’s a pretty easy fix that doesn’t require any expensive tools or parts: use thread seal tape! You just need to wrap a little bit around the threads on the bottom of your faucet and then tighten them back up. This will seal off any leaks that may have been causing water damage in your home.
Know Your Septic System
If you have a septic, then you know how crucial it is to maintain your septic tank in good working order. If your tank needs cleaning, call a professional—don’t try it yourself! An improperly maintained septic system can cause health problems and expensive damage to your home.
Clean Garbage Disposals Regularly
You might be tempted not to clean out your garbage disposal right away because you don’t want to deal with the mess, but it’s important to remember that disposals are made of metal blades that can dull over time if they aren’t kept clean. This can lead to clogs, which will only make things worse when they clog up completely! So keep them clean and working properly by running warm water down them every couple of weeks or so—you’ll save yourself from many headaches later on!
Install A Water Softener.
A water softener is a fantastic way to keep your pipes from getting clogged and make your clothes feel softer. If you’re worried about the cost, though, don’t be! You can get one for around $150 at Home Depot.
Use A Plunger For A Clogged Kitchen Sink Hack.
If your sink is clogged and you don’t have time to deal with it right away, try using a plunger to unclog it! Just place the plunger over the drain hole and push down firmly 20-30 times. With this clogged sink hack, you should see results pretty quickly!
Tighten Loose Toilet Seats.
If you’ve got a loose toilet seat, you know how frustrating it can be to hold it up while sitting down—especially if you’re in a public restroom where no one wants to help you out. But here’s a tip: instead of trying to hold your seat up with one hand while you use the other one to tighten the screws, grab a pair of pliers or vise grips and put them over the seat frame so they’ll stay put as you work on tightening those screws!
Fix a Leaking Showerhead
If you’re looking for an easy plumbing hack that will save you some dollars and make your shower more enjoyable, try tightening the showerhead with pliers. It should only take about ten seconds—and you’ll probably be able to hear the difference after the first turn!
Prevent Future Clogs
Have an old drain in your house that hasn’t been used for decades? It might be clogged with hair or something else that’s preventing water from flowing through correctly. Try utilizing a pair of tongs or pliers to pull out any clogs that are visible before running hot water through again—this will help clear out any debris caught in its pipes!
Check for Leaks Regularly
You’ve probably heard it before: one of the most useful ways to keep your plumbing system running smoothly is by regularly checking for leaks. You should check under sinks and toilets for drips that may indicate a leaky pipe or faucet. This can be double if you live in an area where it rains frequently. If you notice a small drip from your showerhead, try adjusting the water pressure or tightening its connection before calling a plumber. Fixing plumbing 101 small leaks can save you tons of money over time!
Sign Up for Annual Plumbing Maintenance At Kentucky Climate Control!
If you live in London, KY, you know there are some things worse than waking up to see that your plumbing has stopped working.
At Kentucky Climate Control, we know that plumbing crises can occur anytime and anywhere. That’s why we offer annual plumbing maintenance in London, KY. Our experts will come out and perform a full inspection of your entire plumbing system, including the pipes and drains. They will also make any necessary repairs or replacements where needed. We can even replace your old fixtures with new ones if needed! Our team of certified plumbers can take care of all your Plumbing Maintenance and Services in London, KY, needs, including cleaning and repairing drains, installing new faucets and showers, and more!
Here are some things to expect during routine plumbing hacks trade show and maintenance from our experts:
- A thorough inspection of plumbing fixtures.
- Testing water pressure to ensure optimal levels.
- Checking for leaks, both visible and hidden.
- Drain cleaning to remove debris and prevent clogs.
- Inspection and maintenance of water heaters.
- Evaluation of supply lines for damage or leaks.
- Recommendations for repairs or upgrades based on findings
We offer our annual plumbing maintenance services to all our customers in London, KY, at no extra cost when you sign up for our service plan. You never need to worry about being stuck with a leaky sink or broken toilet again!
Our annual maintenance service helps keep your systems running in a smooth manner so that you can focus on things like enjoying your family or relaxing at work instead of worrying about whether or not your house will flood when the next big storm hits!
So, enjoy peace of mind and sign up for our annual maintenance program! Call us today at (855) 482-2522!
