- By Muhammad Shoaib
Owning a house is not just about having a property to your name. The property requires attention and maintenance. According to research, an average household in the UK spends £2,699 each year for maintenance and repair.
Heating, Plumbing, Gas Safety, And Electrical Connections
Heating, plumbing, gas safety, and electrical connections throughout the house are areas of particular importance. This is because they provide basic utilities that make the house comfortable to live in.
Maintaining and repairing these facilities usually requires professional help. This is because handling these facilities requires technical knowledge. It can be dangerous to assume you can fix the heating or repair an electric connection without getting an expert involved.
Additionally, only an expert can conduct certain safety procedures. For example, homeowners seeking a gas safety certificate CP12 must contact a registered gas safety engineer.
Still, some basic DIY tricks can help you deal with everyday issues. Doing it yourself sometimes can be a great idea. It can save you money and prevent the hassle of calling in a professional.
Smart Solutions To Deal With Plumbing Problems
Plumbing issues can be extremely troublesome. Water is a necessity in any property, residential or commercial. While plumbing should be left to the professionals, since it requires special knowledge, there are some tips you can follow to resolve some problems.
Here are some smart solutions to help you deal with plumbing problems:
Clogged Drains: Clogged drains are perhaps the most common plumbing problem that arises. Anything can clog the drain, like hair, fur, lint, small pieces of food, and even oil.
It is good to have preventative measures in place. Be sure to catch any hair or fur that may break during bathing. Rinse dishes thoroughly before putting them in the dishwasher. Small steps like these can help reduce the buildup that clogs the drain.
If, however, you are experiencing a clogged drain, worry not. Many DIY solutions are available that are effective and affordable. You can get drain opening solutions in the market. Chemical drain openers have the downside of being very corrosive. Frequently using them can damage your pipes.
Even if you do not have that, you can easily open a drain with the supplies you have at home. A concoction of baking soda and vinegar is the best natural solution to opening clogged drains.
All you need is hot water, half a cup of baking soda, and half a cup of vinegar. Pour the hot water first followed by the soda and the vinegar. The water gets rid of any greasy residue while the baking soda and vinegar create a chemical reaction that clears any blockages.
You can also use a plunger to put pressure on the clogged area and open it up. Use a plunger and apply force fifteen to twenty times. Make sure the area around the drain has water around it. Doing this will create a vacuum and make the plunging more effective.
If these techniques do not work, it is time to call in the plumber. This means your drain may need some serious cleaning.
Frozen Pipes: Pipes freezing up during the winters is a major plumbing issue. No one wants to deal with the situation because it can be difficult to deal with unless you call a professional.
If you do encounter frozen pipes, quickly turn on the taps connected to the pipes. This will relieve the water pressure as the ice melts. Use a hair dryer to heat the pipes so that the ice inside melts.
You can keep pipes that are outside from freezing by applying electric heating tape on them. Alternatively, for those pipes that are inside, open up the cabinets so you can expose them to the heating in the house.
Pipe Blockage: Blocked pipes are much like clogged drains, in that thing like hair, food remnants, and similar items being clogged up usually cause it. A blocked pipe is a major issue since it leads to reduced water output. It is also a problem because the blocked water put increasing pressure on the pipe.
The best way to remove the blockage from a pipe is to see if you can determine the place of the blockage. This will narrow down the area where you will be working.
Close the main water supply. Turn the valve off since you will be disconnecting the pipe and you do not want any water rushing out. Use the right tools to remove the part of the pipe where you think the blockage is.
Once you find the blockage, clean it up. You may have to use a stick to clean out the pipe completely. Cleaning out the pipes is important as it reduces the water pressure. A constant build-up of water pressure may lead to cracked and damaged pipes.
Prevention Is The Best Cure: It is best to avoid plumbing issues from happening. You can take several steps to ensure that you are using your plumbing system to its optimal potential. Here is a helpful checklist of things to do in regards to maintaining your plumbing system.
You need to be informed on how to keep your plumbing in good shape. This includes regularly checking the drainage system. Inspecting the pipes and ensuring that water pressure is normal.
Make sure everyone in the house knows how to shut the main water supply in case of an emergency. You may never know when such knowledge comes into use.
Many things help you prevent plumbing issues. Drain traps or covers can be placed on top of drains to catch even the smallest of particles. Keep the lint catcher of the dryer clean because it might get drained into the pipes.
Finally, if you are uncertain, it is always best to call in an expert. Hire a plumber if you think you cannot deal with the issue yourself. The plumbing system is a giant puzzle and each pipe represents a piece of the whole. Messing up one piece can damage the entire system.
Author Bio:
Shoaib provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies helps him in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. He occasionally writes articles for gas safety certs.
