PLUMBING
10 Plumbing Tips Everyone Needs to Know
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id you know that you can avoid most plumbing issues? Unfortunately, many people do not notice that their actions have more negative effects than positive outcomes. We want to change that by giving plumbing tips that you must know. Are you having problems with a leaking faucet, clogged pipe, or low water pressure? Perhaps, you want to reach out for an expert plumber, and with a good reason. Homeowners usually do not have the needed skills for a do-it-yourself plumbing job. They can sometimes make the problems worse in the end, initiating thousands of shillings in personal and property damage. But do not put your plumber on your speed dial just yet! Here are TEN basic plumbing tips every homeowner must know. Perhaps these ten tips could save you from spending thousands of dollars on a visit from your local plumber. Learn the Location of Shut-Off Valves Before transferring into a new house, know the location of the shut-off valves and drain (in some cases, you will see the location of the shut-off valve outside the house). You should also get familiar with sewer line access points in case you perform regular maintenance. Note that condos and apartments may not have their designated shut-off valves. 12
CR | March/April 2022
Do not Punch The Pipes Are you planning to pound nails or drill holes into your walls, ceiling, or floors? First, know if there are any drainage pipes or supplies behind your work area because you do not want to pierce them accidentally. You may locate the pipes under walls with a cheap stud finder. You could invest in an endoscopic camera for an alternative, which can go into the walls. Find Out What is Flushable and Not Homeowners should not use their toilet as a trash bin because flushing anything except toilet paper can cause bad clogs. Even flushable items, such as baby wipes can back up the plumbing system. Do not Put Trash In the Drain Never throw food debris, bacon grease, coffee grounds, starchy foods like rice or potatoes, and vegetable peelings down the drain; they will almost surely clog your pipes. It is also clever to read the manual for your garbage disposal to know what the unit can manage. Use the Plunge Purchase a high-quality plunger to remove clogs in sinks, drains, and toilets. If you plan to clean sink traps, take a plunger to push the water out before removing the sink trap. This task will be messy and wet. www.constructionreviewonline.com
