When it comes to plumbing issues, prevention is always better than cure. Knowing what not to do from the very beginning can save you a lot of money spent on repairs down the line. But even if you are vigilant against bad plumbing habits, if something breaks down in your plumbing system, it will still benefit you to know some handy tips to minimise damage, or even provide a temporary fix while you wait for your plumber to assess the issue.
Below, some tips about your plumbing that you should know as a homeowner:
- Be careful when doing renovations, avoid accidentally puncturing your pipes! Putting nails in the walls, drilling without checking for existing pipes, and the like, can damage your plumbing system and spell disaster.
- Don’t flush trash down the drain, and know what you can flush, otherwise you’ll be looking at a nasty blockage down the line.
- Know where your water mains cut-off is located.
- For blockages, try to refrain from using chemical drain cleaners, as these can shorten the lifespan of your plumbing system.
- A plunger is your best friend when it comes to blockages big and small!
- If you’re looking at a small, hard object that’s blocking your pipes, a wet-dry vacuum can be amazing at getting the obstruction out.
- Having replacement parts like toilet kits and rubber gaskets can be a great temporary solution to leaks and breakages.
- A leaky tap may not seem like a big problem, but consider that these are slowly costing you money over time that it is not fixed. Address these before the leaks get worse and minimise your expenses.
- If DIY plumbing, remember that fixings that are hand-tight are just right. Don’t over-tighten your fixings, as this can lead to stripped screws and broken bolts, which will be a problem down the line especially if you don’t have replacements.
- Plumber’s tape can be an amazing fix for leaking joints and fixings. The recommendation is to wrap this tape thrice around pipe threads before sealing. White is for ordinary household plumbing, and yellow is for gas pipes.
- Check for leaks! Whether or not you have just DIY-ed a plumbing project, this is quite important. Not only to ensure that you are aware of any underlying problems with your plumbing system, but also to minimise the damage and expenses that you will incur if it is left unaddressed.
While these tips are great for quick fixes, it’s important to note that hiring a plumber for your plumbing needs is always the best solution. Getting Perth plumbing services for your leaky taps, blocked drains, and compromised water pressure not only ensures that the right procedures are done for a lasting solution to your issues, but you can also rest assured that your plumber will be able to get to the root of the problem and provide you with information to prevent blockages and leaks from happening again. This is because plumbers are fully qualified and knowledgeable about all types of plumbing issues and requirements, some of which are not DIY-able.
If your hot water isn’t working, if your drains are overflowing, or even if your water just does not come out from the taps, these can be hard to fix, if not impossible, if you are doing it yourself. It’s a great idea to get emergency plumbing services as you will be getting the expertise, specialised tools, and in-depth knowledge that plumbers possess, which will not only make the repair time quicker, but will provide you with the ease of mind that your existing plumbing issue will be fixed with certainty.