Content create by-Kang Hanley

Plumbing can really get you in a bad situation. It is your responsibility to make sure that you know at least the basics to ensure that you do not lose valuable property and end up costing yourself much more money. Use this article for the best plumbing advice.

To avoid clogs, pay attention to what you flush. Sanitary napkins, thick toilet paper and baby wipes should never be flushed. These items can expand and cause a clog, or get caught on a pipe. Instead, dispose of them in a sanitary way that does not involve flushing them down the toilet.

When concerned with plumbing, you need to know what can cause noisy pipes. This is important because it can mean the difference between an annoying noise and flooding in your house. Do your research to distinguish between the different noises and hire a professional if any serious risk is posed.

If you have a clogged drain, don't use cleaning chemicals to try to clear the clog. These harsh chemicals can corrode your metal pipes leading to leaks and broken pipes over time. Instead, stick to a plunger or make use of a plumbing snake to clear them.







Look closely at your toilets several times throughout the year. Check to see if there are any leaks that you may not have noticed; you can do this by placing five or six drops of food coloring in the tank. If there is a leak, the color will seep into the bowl within half an hour. This process will help you catch a small problem before it gets too out of control.

Make sure overflow holes are cleaned out. This can help to prevent any water damage. Overflow holes are a way to stop water from overflowing if a sink is left on by accident. If the overflow hole is clogged it will not be able to do its job.

At least once a year remove the faucet aerator and clean the screens. This helps it properly function. The function of a faucet aerator is to allow for an even flow of water and to conserve water. Be sure to clean out the aerator and you'll notice a these things working.

You should drain all of the water out of the tank of your hot water heater at least once every three to six months. Draining all of the water out of the tank helps to prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment can cause the tank to bang or to heat less efficiently.

Rarely used valves can sometimes fuse together. Periodically turn these valves off and one. Use specially designed oils that can work their way through the buildup to keep them loosened up and operable.

If the hot water heater in your house is over ten years old, you should look at replacing it. Hot water heaters are very susceptible to corrosion on the bottom. This can lead to leaking and flooding whatever room it is in. Then not only will you have to replace it, but you'll have to fix any damage caused by the leak.

Because plumbing is a mysterious and hidden field to a lot of homeowners, they are willing to take any claim and any bill from a plumber at face value, no matter how ridiculous it is. If you own your own home, you should at least learn enough about plumbing to understand how plumbing problems should be handled by a professional. By learning a little bit about the topic, you can rest assured that you won't be robbed blind by a plumber.

go source and then, you should pour a large bucket of water down your basement floor drain. This will help to keep the trap seal full and prevent certain gases from coming up into your home. Also, be sure that you have your floor drain checked by a professional every few years.

As the winter months encroach on your home, check your outdoor faucets for dripping and leaking. If they are dripping or leaking, you are going to have to have them repaired before winter actually arrives. Freezing water can and will crack pipes, whether they are made of copper, steel, or plastic. Even a very tiny crack can cause water to get out and flood your home, or at least cause some water damage.

When using a kitchen garbage disposal, let the water run for a few minutes even after you shut off the disposal itself. The ground up waste matter generated by the disposal exits your house plumbing via water force and without that water, it can sit in pipes and cause clogs.

As tempting as it may be to try and save on the heating bill, keep your furnace set no lower than 55 degrees over the winter to prevent inside pipes from freezing. If you have pipes located in an excessively cold basement, consider running a space heater in the basement, but only when it can be checked on frequently.

Do not put stringy or fibrous items into your garbage disposal. Substances like banana peels, gristle, or celery may not completely break down in the disposal, and may clog your pipes instead of flowing out of the waste lines as they are supposed to. When in doubt, do not try to dispose of something that may not break down completely.

Plumbing is one of those jobs that you should not do your self. If it is something easy like a toilet repair or changing out a faucet, go ahead and give it a try. If it is a major repair, then you are better off hiring a contractor and it may be required to have a licensed plumbing contractor do the work for you.

Check the plumbing in your home. If your home has the flexible gray polybutylene water pipes, you need to have a plumber come out and assess their condition. These types of pipe are prone to failure and can lead to very costly repairs if they have a failure within your home.

If you drop a small item like a ring or earring into a sink drain, hope is not lost. By carefully removing the U-shaped trap underneath the sink, you can probably retrieve the item. Be aware that the trap will be full of water, though, so have something under it to catch the spills.

You should feel better after reading those tips when it comes to plumbing. That was a lot to read through, but at least you should have an idea of what to do and where to begin with your home's plumbing. Besides, you can always come back to this list if you need to.