Do you have a leaky faucet, poor water pressure, or a plugged pipe? You’re undoubtedly inclined to contact a Parramatta plumber, and for good cause. Most homeowners lack the requisite expertise for a do-it-yourself plumbing project.
Understand The Location Of Shut-Off Valves
Take note of the position of the main shut-off valve and drain before moving into a new home (in some cases, the shut-off will be located outside the house). You should also become familiar with sewer line access sites in case you need to do periodic cleanings. It is important to note that flats and condominiums may not have their dedicated shut-off valves.
Pipes Should Not Be Punctured
Do you intend to drill or hammer nails into your walls, flooring, or ceiling? Determine whether there are any supply or drainage pipes behind your work area to avoid accidentally puncturing them. A cheap stud finder may be able to discover pipelines behind walls. You might also invest in an endoscopic camera that can be snaked into the walls.
Discover What Can Be Flushed
Homeowners should not use their toilet as a trash can because flushing anything other than toilet paper causes clogs. Even “flushable” baby wipes can help to clean the system!
Do Not Flush Garbage Down The Sink
Coffee grounds, food debris, bacon grease, vegetable peelings, or starchy items like rice or potatoes should never be poured down the kitchen sink; they will most likely block your pipes. It’s also a good idea to study the trash disposal’s owner’s handbook to find out exactly what the equipment can handle.
Take The Risk
Blockages in toilets sink, and drains, use a high-quality plunger. When cleaning sink traps, use a plunger to force the majority of the water out before removing the trap. The work will be much less damp and sloppy.
Take Out The Vacuum
Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove a blockage created by a tiny, hard object (such as a child’s toy, toothbrush, or comb). Sucking the thing out is more effective. A plunger will just drive it deeper down the drain, making removal more difficult.
Avoid Ignoring Leaks
A fixture’s continuous drip, drip, drip represents money pouring down the drain. A leaking faucet may waste up to eight gallons of water per day, but a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons per day. Repair minor leaks as soon as possible before they become major—and costly—issues.
Get To Know Plumber’s Tape
Plumber’s tape (also known as Teflon tape) is used to prevent leaks around joints and fittings by sealing pipe threads. Before sealing the pipe threads, wrap the plumber’s tape three times around them. Also, the white tape is intended for regular domestic plumbing jobs, and the yellow tape is intended for gas line hookups.
Always Look For Leaks
Check for leaks after every plumbing job by flowing water through the system and then opening and shutting all valves and drains. Even experienced plumbers may overlook a minor leak and need to reseal a connection.
