Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘handy plumbing tips’

How to Avoid Common Plumbing Issues

Wednesday, February 5th, 2020

how to avoid common plumbing issuesPlumbing issues are enough to cause health hazards to you and your family as well as damage your property in Appleton Wisconsin. They also have the potential to cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. Usually, plumbing issues start off small and if unattended, grow to become costly affairs. It is impossible to avoid plumbing issues because your home will continue to age with time. Therefore, the best way to prevent plumbing issues from crippling your entire home is by trying as much as possible to avoid them. 

Here are some of the most common plumbing issues and the best ways to avoid them in your home. 

Leaking Faucets and Pipes 

Leaking pipes and faucets are not only a nuisance to a homeowner, but are also likely to increase your water bills. A leaking tap is usually caused by a torn, stiff or dislodged washer. The washer forms a seal when the tap is closed to prevents leaks. Consistent use tends to wear the washer thus making it ineffective. 

It is hard to prevent your tap from wearing out naturally. The only thing you can do is slow down the process by using the tap responsibly. Avoid exerting excessive pressure on your faucets during closing. Make sure to carry out regular inspections on your pipes as well to deal with any leaks as they come. 

Water Heater Problems 

Your water heater is responsible for heating all the water you need for cleaning. Water heater problems include inadequate water heating, leaking, and discolored water. They are easily recognizable and can be avoided through proper maintenance. Make sure to regularly check the pressure valve and flush the tank to get rid of sediments in a tank water heater.  

Clogged Drains and Toilets

Yet another issue you are bound to experience in your home. A clogged drain or toilet can cause a lot of health hazards to you and your family. Clogging usually happens when a foreign object partially or completely blocks the waterway leading to backups. 

You can avoid clogged drainage systems and toilets by practicing responsible waste management. Do not flush down non-dissolvable items down the toilet or your drainage system. Keep an eye on the children and stop them from flushing down their toys. Additionally, use a hair catcher in your shower to prevent bits of your hair from clogging the drainage system. 

Low Water Pressure 

Low water pressure is a nuisance because you never have enough water to carry out your house chores efficiently. It also affects other appliances in the house such as water heaters that require high pressure to activate. 

While low water pressure is usually experienced in older homes, new homes can also experience the same. It could be caused by leaking pipes and taps or a build-up of minerals and sediments in your plumbing system. 

You can avoid this problem by inspecting your plumbing system for any leaks and having a plumber fix them in time. Make sure to install a filtration system to prevent the build-up of mineral and sediments in your water system.

You will not be able to prevent all plumbing issues in your home. After all, they are not always easy to pinpoint or fix. You can, however, make a point of calling a responsible and highly qualified plumbing company in Wisconsin. At Tureks Plumbing services, we guarantee professional, ethical and honest plumbing services at any time of the day.  

 

 

Continue Reading

5 Handy Plumbing Tips For Renters

Monday, April 23rd, 2018

If you are renting your home, you can’t always rely on your landlord or property manager to show up with a plumber immediately whenever you have a plumbing problem. Your landlord or property manager will need some time to look for or call a plumber. Also, if you’re not new to leasing a home, you’ll know that property owners or managers always have a lot of things on their hands and as such, won’t always act on your complaint quickly.

Knowing some basic but useful tips will help you have an easier and less stressful time dealing with certain plumbing problems. If you’re living in a rented property or preparing to move to one, below are some handy plumbing tips for renters you need to keep in mind:

Know where the shutoff valves are located.

Nearly all plumbing fixtures have a shutoff valve. These small valves are used to control the flow of water to a plumbing fixture such as the faucet, toilet, shower, or tub. The shutoff valve may appear as a handle on the wall near the floor under the toilet or sink. The valves of bathtubs and showers are often found in a nearby access panel.

Knowing where these shutoff valves are is important if you have a leaking pipe or faucet. If you have this problem, you can avoid wasting water and further damage to your rental property.

In case you can’t find the shutoff valve for a specific fixture, use the main shutoff valve for the home. Ask your landlord or property manager where in case of a plumbing emergency.

Protect and take care of all drains.

To protect your sink, shower and bathtub drains, use strainers. A strainer will catch food, hair, and other debris that can cause buildup and clog the pipes. Never pour or throw moisturizer, lotion, shaving cream, cooking or meat fat, oils, grease, rice or pasta and other fibrous materials down the drain. These items will expand and bloat or tangle up and cause drain blockage.

Use the toilet responsibly.

Don’t use your toilet as another garbage disposal system for soiled diapers, used tampons, and other items. Some toilets and plumbing systems are simply more susceptible to problems. Avoid placing anything except for toilet paper and natural waste in your toilet system.

Always keep your sinks clean.

Keep them clear and prevent backing up by pouring some Drano or a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda every 2-3 months down the drain. These items will help dissolve buildups in the drains and keep them running properly.

Buy a plunger.

A clogged toilet is one of the most stressful plumbing problems you can have. It is an issue you can easily fix without calling your landlord or property manager if you have a plunger. According to a trusted Appleton plumber, the best toilet plunger to get is the kind with an extended cup that sits inside the bottom of the bowl since this is easier to use.

For more difficult and complicated plumbing problems, you will have to wait for your landlord or property manager. Do not attempt to fix them yourself. You may end up aggravating the issue and causing more problems that may be more time-consuming and costly to repair. If you have questions or concerns please contact Tureks Plumbing Services. 

 

Continue Reading