Managing a house is a difficult business, especially when you are doing it all on your own. Taking care of the bills and expenses is certainly a major concern but it is not the only issue that you have to deal with while managing a house.
Cleaning, cooking, and managing bills, periodic and sudden repairs…all of this is a big problem to deal with. If you own a big residence with a backyard and garage, you can always expect the winter season to make your life miserable with snow. Clearing it out yourself is a tiring task while hiring outdoor management services can upset your monthly budget. Other issues could be a frozen water line or flooded yards if you don’t have a proper system to drain that. Also, if your setup diverts water into your basement and out with the help of a sump pump, then you need to make sure that it is working. If not, you will come across a flooded basement instead which could be an even bigger issue.
However, an even bigger issue could be finding a flooded house instead, that could damage your furniture and electrical appliances. It can be because of you neglecting those periodic repairs that you need to be more serious about. Or, it may be the result of a plumbing issue like drain blockage or clogged pipes. Either way, this is the most troublesome situation and can’t be left for tomorrow to deal with. Some people prefer hiring official plumbing services periodically or occasionally to avoid this fiasco. For instance, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto, ON offers round the clock services for residents of Toronto to tackle a plumbing malfunction.
Here are five secret techniques to improve the plumbing and drain cleaning systems of your house and avoid opening your main door to witness a debacle of a situation.
1. Handy Tools
Handling a plumbing malfunction is no easy task in itself. Doing it with the wrong tools makes it even more difficult a job than it has to be. It is best to know what stuff you might need, and in which situations could it help you the most.
Our three tried and tested tools are: an auger, a snake, and a cup plunger. An auger is a tool that serves to clean your drainage, however, it is advised to use it with caution. It may help to fight the most difficult drain blockages and clogged pipes. The most basic tool, a cup plunger comes in handy when you have to handle minor drain or pipe clogs. Whereas, the snake can be used to handle worse drainage situations than a simple clog. It is more efficient than a cup plunger and less dangerous than an auger when it comes to cleaning drains.
2. Drain Guards
It is often not realized by most people what they are sending down their drain pipes. Eggshells, hair, and even finger rings can slip down from them and can go unnoticed until the situation develops.
An easy solution to avoid this is to use a drain guard. It is a cheap item, easily available and can come in very handy when you have delicate plumbing. You can easily stop most of the major items from going down the drain and throw them in the garbage cans, which is a more appropriate place for them. It won’t help with a corroding or an already stuffed drain pipe but it could save you from an escalated situation.
3. Hot Water
Another handy way to improve the quality of your plumbing and drain pipes is to run hot water into it. It helps to get the oil and other drain cleaning products running through the pipes and complete their course.
Also, hot water can be used with other products to enhance its effects and get you better results. For instance, using hot water with a handful of baking soda is a good choice. Baking soda is a great cleaning agent and absorbs foul odors from your drain pipes. It is wise to use this and then a fragrant drain cleaner that isn’t too viscous to make your drains smell good. Besides this, a cup of vinegar can be used as well with hot water, since it is an organic solvent and has acidic properties.
4. Covering Shower Drains
You might not be as prone to hair fall as your pets. Giving a bath to your pets is a tedious task. All the hassle and ruckus, and the playful nature of your pet, could leave you washed out. About the time you are done, you don’t even care what you are sending down the drain with the water.
Pet hair can easily go down the drain and cause your pipes to clog. Neglecting this may seem to be a wise decision since its less workload, but you are asking for trouble in the long run. It’s better to cover the shower drain with a washcloth and then carry on with the bathing. It may reduce the amount of hair that goes down the drain substantially and the resulting damage is less. Dispose of the hair later while washing the cloth.
5. Keep an eye out
The best advice that anyone can offer to tackle plumbing issues to keep an eye out for signs that may indicate that you need to pay attention to it. It is nowhere close to playing Sherlock and can be noticed very easily if you pay a little attention.
Check for forced or pressure leaks and occasionally run a small bucket of water down your drain pipes. If the water isn’t being drained properly, adopt a remedy or check your pipes. Look for signs of corrosion along the pipelines. Also, the sound of flowing water may inform you about the state of your plumbing. If you can listen to the water to be draining from a section, check that specifically to be on the safe side. This way, at least you won’t be caught off guard with a plumbing issue.
Summary:
Plumbing issues are a serious concern for people trying to manage their own houses. They can make your life more miserable and challenging than it has to be. Try and learn more about this subject so you can deal with it on your own. It is best to be cautious. If you feel something is out of place, check your pipelines. If you can’t find the issue or are facing a situation that you can’t handle, always prefer calling in for help than to let it sit. It should allow things to run smoothly.