If you've never done so before, now is the perfect time to learn more about your home's plumbing system.
Knowing more about your home's plumbing can help you solve small problems that may crop up, saving you the cost of hiring a plumber.
Here are four tips to help solve the problems yourself:
Discoloration around bathroom fixtures
Orange or pink discoloration on your bathroom fixtures is a good indication that your home's water contains too much iron. A water softener will take care of the issue. You can install a water softener yourself, or you can hire a professional plumber to complete the installation.
Invest in a quality shower head
If you're using a shower head, see to it that you replace it with a high quality one. People often incorrectly believe that it's all right to buy a cheap shower head, but cheaper fixtures are more prone to failure.
Check the flapper
Toilet flapper seals with excess mineral deposits or a flapper that is damaged can allow water to run continuously in the toilet and increase your water bill. Clean the flapper seal of mineral deposits or replace the flapper to resolve this issue.
Leaky dishwasher?
Water leaking from the dishwasher drain line, however annoying, is usually an easy fix. The dishwasher drain hose that enters the cabinet and connects to the main sink drain may not be installed properly, but it can be corrected quickly. When it’s installed correctly, the drain hose must be hung going upwards and then back down into the sink drain to ensure the water drains and doesn't stand in the drain line.
About this Experts Contributor
John Cahill, president of Cahill Plumbing & Heating in Westborough, Massachusetts, has served customers in the western Boston metro and Worcester areas for more than 35 years.
As of March 19, 2013, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.
