A basic understanding of your home’s plumbing system can prevent frustration and save you money. While there are some difficulties that require professional plumbing services, having a little bit of plumbing know-how is a good thing.
In the event there is a plumbing emergency, here are 5 things all homeowners should know
How to Shut Off the Main Water Supply
Burst pipes wreck homes. If you know how to quickly locate the main water valve shut-off, you can avoid extensive damage to your home. You’ll find the main water valve where the water enters the home from the outside line. Common places to find this valve include the basement, utility closets and garages. Before there is an emergency, locate the valve and practice turning it on and off.
How to Unclog a Toilet
You can save money by trying to unclog an obstructed toilet before calling a plumber. Start by using a plunger. Make sure you’re using a toilet plunger. A toilet plunger is not flat. It has a flange that makes it easier to create suction. If you try plunging the toilet and it still won’t work, call a plumber. It’s likely that something is clogged beyond the trap where the plunger won’t be of any help.
Repair a Leaky Toilet
A toilet that runs continuously is a toilet that is leaking water. These leaks occur inside the toilet tank and can cost you extra money on your water bill if not taken care of right away. To fix the problem, lift the lid to the tank and take a look at the interior components. Broken parts can easily be fixed with parts available at your local hardwood store. These parts include the flapper, the chain, or a broken flush-valve unit.
Resetting a Stalled Garbage Disposal
As your friendly Carlsbad plumber, we’re more than happy to help you reset your garbage disposal. However, this is a simple task that you can do on your own and save money on a service call. When your garbage disposal stops working, don’t assume the worst. It may just need to be reset.
The reset button is red or black and can be found on the underside of most units. Make sure the garbage disposal is turned off then press and hold the reset button for a few seconds. Now try turning the unit on. If this didn’t solve the problem, pick up the phone and call us because it’s likely another problem.
Adjusting the Water Heater Temperature
Is your water cooling faster than normal? This could be the result of a thermostat that needs to be adjusted. It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes the thermostat may get bumped. The average water heater has three settings. For optimal performance and less energy consumption, the middle setting is ideal. If you adjust the thermostat and you’re still experiencing problems, give us a call. You may have sediment in the tank or a bad heating element.
We don’t want to lose business, but we know there are some things that you can do to keep plumbing costs low. Of course, never waver to call a plumber if you’re uncertain about a simple maintenance procedure. Plumbing can be tricky and you don’t want a mistake that’s going to cost you a fortune.
