Home Improvement Plumbing Tips

Introduction

Home improvement plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There are some basic things that you need to know about home improvement plumbing systems, as well as, having the necessary tools to do your own repairs. This article may have a few useful tips and tricks that you can add to your tool belt.

Step 1

Mold growing at the base of your toilet can indicate that condensation is forming on your toilet bowl thanks to room temperature versus bowl and water temperature, or that you have a leak in the wax seal around your toilet. To replace the wax seal, turn off the water to the toilet, disconnect from the water supply and then lift the toilet and replace the ring. The real trick is setting the toilet back down on the ring correctly. Buy an extra ring in case you mess up and to avoid having to run to the hardware store in the middle of the job.

Step 2

Have you tried patching your pipe with the store-bought patching kits only to have that section of your home improvement plumbing continue leaking? Replacing the damaged pipe is a more permanent solution than patching. First, you must shut off the main water valve, and drain the water from the damaged section. Cut out the damaged section of the copper pipe, leaving about an inch of extra pipe on both sides of the damaged area. Remove corrosion from inside the pipes with a wire brush. Apply flux to the replacement pipe and the remaining pipe. Slide the piece of replacement pipe into place with couplings. Apply solder all around the joint, and use a propane torch to solder the replacement section into place.

Step 3

In cold climate areas, sometimes the pipes in the home improvement plumbing system freeze. You can thaw them out with calling a home improvement plumbing. Before beginning this process, open the faucet and begin thawing closest to the faucet and then move down the line as sections thaw out. One method you can use is to wrap the pipe with a heavy towel or burlap and then pour hot water over it, set a bucket underneath to catch the water.

Additional Tips

Make sure you clean out overflow holes in your kitchen and bathroom sinks on a regular basis. These holes are intended to act as an emergency fail-safe to prevent spillage from a full sink, but if they are clogged they can't do their job. You can clean out an overflow hole using the same techniques you would for a clogged drain.

To get the best possible price from a home improvement plumbing, shop around and keep notes. When you get a price quote from the first home improvement plumbing, you can subtly mention that price to the second and see if they will beat it. If you keep doing this down a list, you can drive down the price considerably.

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