The Do’s And Don’ts Of Plumbing: Maintenance Tips

Plumbing problems, and the associated mistakes that happen when trying to fix those problems, can cost you hundreds of dollars. You can avoid these mistakes by knowing a few routine things to do. You can also save yourself a lot of hassle by knowing what not do to. When in doubt, call a plumber so that you can save money in the long run.

Garbage Disposals

Do: Many people are not aware that they should run cold water when using their garbage disposal. This keeps food particles solid, such as blobs of grease, which will keep them moving safely through your lines. You can grind ice in your disposal about once a month. It really does help to keep those blades nice and sharp. Do Not: It may seem like common sense, but many people still run into problems when putting drained off grease, cooking oil, lard and other fats through the garbage disposal. Bones and other hard food substances, like corn husks or artichokes should not be fed into garbage disposals.  Fibrous or stringy foods are also not good for your disposal. Do not run hot water because this dissolves any fat attached to the food that you are disposing of. It causes clogs farther down in your lines.

Toilets

Do: Use only appropriate cleaners for your toilet and toilet bowl. Be sure to use only the recommended amount of drain cleaner if you do find a clog. Too much drain cleaner can be corrosive to certain plumbing materials. Also, it can make the clog worse than it was before using the cleaner. Don't: Do not flush anything that is not recommended to be flushed. This can create a major toilet clog. Not all feminine products can go down the toilet. Check the product package to find out if yours is flushable. The toilet drain feeds right into the main drain pipe for your entire home. This means that if even one item is improperly flushed, you can back up your entire home. Fortunately, there are plumbers who are available to call if this were to happen. A situation like this is a stinky mess that is impossible for any amateur do-it-yourselfer to fix. Additionally, do not use boiling, or even hot, water in your toilet bowl. There are plenty of myths that recommend using this method which are found on the Internet. Toilet bowls are not designed to tolerate hot water. It can compromise the enamel or even crack the porcelain. Skip the hot water and only use appropriate toilet cleaners.

Sink And Tub Drains

Do: Whether it is the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, or the bathtub drain, you should pour a few gallons of boiling water down the drain about once a month. This keeps any grease or hair that has accumulated from clogging up your lines. On especially cold days and nights during the winter months, be sure to keep a pencil-sized stream of water freely flowing. This can help prevent frozen and busted pipes from occurring. Do Not: Do not treat your sink drains as garbage cans. They are not made to flush anything and everything. Never put non-food items down any drain. Don't shower if you have used tanning oil recently. Wipe yourself down with a baby wipe or paper towel first.

Plumbing Services Macungie PA

These do's and don'ts of plumbing can keep your water running freely throughout your home. However, if you need a little extra care and maintenance, call a reputable plumber before you get in too deep. Too many homeowners take on a DIY project and realize halfway through that they are in over their heads. They have made a huge mistake and they don't know how to fix the mistake they just made.  When it comes to plumbing, this can lead to some major damages. It is not uncommon for homeowners to flood their own homes or create expensive water damage repairs. . Be sure to contact a plumber and save some money, time, and effort. For a reputable plumber in your area, be sure to contact Robinson plumbing. We offer plumbing repairs, maintenance, installs, and much more. Let our certified plumbers take care of your plumbing needs. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that offers expert plumbing services with a proven track record to back it up. We service Alburtis PA 18011, Breinigsville PA 18031, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Hereford PA 18056, Macungie PA 18062, Old Zionsville PA 18068, Trexlertown PA 18087, Zionsville PA 18092, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The blog post "The Do's And Don'ts Of Plumbing: Maintenance Tips" is available on Robinson Plumbers

When To Hire A Plumber Vs. DIY Plumbing Project

When you own your own home, you have, more than likely, performed some plumbing repairs yourself. Fixing a leaky faucet, repairing toilet hardware, and installing washing machine hoses are examples of tasks that are within the ability of most people. However, when tasks become more complicated, it's better to let professionals handle the task.

Questions To Ask Beforehand

Like many building professionals, plumbers are trained and certified to handle complicated tasks. Because they have the knowledge and the proper tools, they can do the job quickly and accurately. They can also do them with the safety precautions necessary than you would be able to on your own. Before heading out to a home improvement store, ask yourself the following questions before attempting a plumbing project on your own:

• Does the job require pulling a permit? Even though you can pull it yourself, permits are usually required for more complicated projects like remodeling. Therefore, if you're moving pipes in a bathroom remodel or installing new fixtures for a remodel, better to have a plumber do the job.
• Does the job require a blowtorch? If you're welding pipe together, you'll need one. Very few people know how to use one properly. It requires special training. For this reason, it would be best to contact a plumber.
• Do your efforts on a drain backup appear to have no effect? Drain backups can occur well beyond where a plumber's snake can reach. Typically, when you use a snake for a clog and the clog doesn't go away, this indicates that the problem is located somewhere down the line. The problem can be located in a sewer line. Professionals have the proper diagnostic tools to discover the source of the clog.

Many complicated plumbing jobs can require not only a permit. They might also require an inspection from local authorities. Professional plumbers know local codes and will make sure that the job meets and even exceed codes.

Replacing Old Or Burst Pipes

Simple wear and tear will eventually cause pipes to wear out necessitating replacements. Often, the problem starts slowly with nagging leaks the increase in intensity. At other times, your pipes will burst open at a weak point, necessitating an immediate water shut off and emergency repair. Improper installation of new pipes can cause further damage to your system and result in more unexpected expenses. A professional will do it right the first time.

An Under-performing or Faulty Water Heater

Your water heater is much more than just part of your plumbing system. This is especially the case if you have one powered by natural gas. Just like preventive maintenance for your HVAC system, the connection on the system needs to be carefully maintained. This will keep you and the other inhabitants of your home safe. Consequently, incorrect work or installation can cause hazards to develop over time.

Toilet Backup and Low Water Pressure

Typically, a clog in the main sewer line is the most common cause of toilets backing up into showers and drains. However,  a variety of other factors may play a part. Likewise, low water pressure may be due to different problems. A licensed plumber will know what clues to look for and which walls to open if necessary.

 

Plumber Palmer PA

Sometimes it is best to just call a plumber before you take on a plumbing project that is too much to handle. Many homeowners make the mistake of starting a plumbing a project and realizing halfway that they need the help of a plumber. Be sure to make you decision to DIY if you really feel that you can handle it. For a plumbing services that are both affordable and highly qualified, contact Robinson Plumbing. We offer professional plumbing services that range from maintenance, repair, and installation. We have experienced, skilled certified plumbers that you can trust to get the job done right the first time. We are known for being friendly and courteous. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family owned company that offers top notch plumbing services with the reputation to back it up. We service Bath PA 18014, Bethlehem PA 18015, Durham PA 18039, Easton PA 18040, Hellertown PA 18055, Kintnersville PA 18930, Martins Creek PA 18063, Nazareth PA 18064, Palmer 18045, Riegelsville PA 18077, Springtown PA 18081, Stockertown PA 18083, Tatamy PA 18085, and surrounding areas. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

The blog post When To Hire A Plumber Vs. DIY Plumbing Project is courtesy of Robinson Plumbers