Plumbing tips and Tricks from Rooterman of Orange County

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with plumbing. While some needed repairs may be easy to remedy, others are not so much. Whatever your particular situation, you need to be educated about plumbing so you will know if you need to call a plumber, or if you can fix it yourself. Fall is the perfect time to have someone check the hot water tank in your home to ensure it's prepared for the winter. This could very well save you money on your utility bills during the winter months, because it will not have to work as hard to heat the water. Don't pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. This ensures that the plumber will not abandon the job midway, and will also care about the quality of their work more. Frozen pipes can cost you a significant amount to repair. Fortunately, it's usually an avoidable problem. The first thing you should do is ensure your outside pipes are thoroughly wrapped or insulated. With the onset of colder weather, disconnect and drain any hoses and shut off outside faucets. Be proactive about this and save on future repair bills. Many times toilet problems can be easily fixed by simply replacing the flapper. The flapper is often the culprit if your toilet is leaking, especially if it's relatively old, as toilet flappers deteriorate with age. When inspecting flapper function, be sure to check the chain tightness in addition to the condition of the flapper itself. Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. Although having a septic tank pumped costs money, cleaning up sewage backup in your home will ultimately cost much more. If you see water dripping into your walls, it is crucial that you shut off your water supply and call a plumber immediately. The dripping water indicates that there could be a major problem with the plumbing in your walls. Many initially small problems can lead to hazardous mold, mildew or flooding. There are many amateur plumbers, so if you consider yourself a professional plumber, think about getting an apprentice. Not only will you be able to pass your skill down, but you will obtain cheap labor too. Exposed pipes should have heat on them to avoid freezing up during the winter months. When it's extremely cold outside, it's likely that the pipes you have outside will start to freeze. Even pipes inside the house can freeze up if they link directly to exposed pipes outside. In order to keep these pipes from freezing, properly insulate them or keep a heat source such as a lamp or heater on them. As mentioned, there are a variety of plumbing problems, from small to large. By applying the tips that you have read, you will realize that dealing with your plumbing problems does not need to cause a lot of stress.