Article written by-Hughes Lundgaard

If you're having issues with plumbing, be sure you're handling it as effectively as possible. Sometimes, you just need good advice to find the best solution, luckily these tips are a good start.

Don't be afraid to call a professional. Don't take on jobs to save money, if you aren't sure how to fix them. Calling a professional plumber saves you money, the experience and know-how can fix your problem sooner and with less fuss.

To winterize a house that will sit unused during the winter months, you must completely drain all of the pipes. After turning off the main water supply, let all of the water drain from the faucets, toilets, and water heater (turn off the gas). Add a quart of antifreeze to sinks and the tub to prevent water from freezing in the drain trap.

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.

Watch how your toilets are flushing. If you have to jiggle the handle or if it takes too long, you might have to repair some toilet parts. Replacing these parts early may help you to save on your water bills and will save you from more expensive repairs at a later date.

Treating your drains every month is a great way to avoid future clogs and other problems, and it's a very simple procedure. Just run one to two gallons of hot tap water down each drain in your house.

Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check just click the next website for signs of wear and tear and replace any hoses more than 10 years old. You'll find that these hoses age well, but you have got to make sure they are doing the job they should.

Be sure to check that your faucets on the outside of your home are free of leaks as winter approaches. If they are dripping or leaking, you are going to have to have them repaired before winter actually arrives. If your pipes freeze, no matter what they are made of, water pressure may make them crack. Even a very tiny crack can cause water to get out and flood your home, or at least cause some water damage.





One of the things that you can do to safeguard your home from any serious plumbing issues is to install a flood alarm. This is a device that will sound when it comes in contact with water, alerting you if there are any issues in a particular area in the house.

Before the cold season hits, check out the condition of your gutters on the roof of your house. Remove all debris, leaves and branches so that you can have a smooth flow of water and easy drainage. Caretaking in advance will help to prevent serious issues with plumbing down the road.

When looking to find a good plumbing contractor, don't forget to check contractors against Department of Consumer Affairs records. You can make sure that their license is up to date and if there are any negative complaints against them. Unless a contractor's license is in favorable standing and up-to-date, you wouldn't want to work with them.

If you need to shut off your plumbing system, turning off the main valve is not enough. A leaking sink will still be supplied by the water that remains in the pipes. Make sure you check all the pipes for signs of wetness or leaks. You should do this regularly.

When you are going to do laundry in your home washing machine, do not use excess detergent, bleach or other chemicals. Too many of these products can cause the natural bacteria in your septic system to be killed. Just use enough of these products in order to get your laundry done.

Insulate your pipes properly. If the temperature drops below fifty five degrees, your pipes could freeze. This makes pipes extremely fragile and increases the risk of leaks and damages. The pipes inside your house should not freeze but take a look at a plan of your plumbing system to see if you have any pipes outside of your house.

home plumbing tips 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.

To make sure there is no accident or sudden rush of water when you tackle a plumbing project, make sure you are ready for a cleanup. If you go into the work with a huge stack of towels and blankets ready to absorb water, the prospect of needing to actually do it will keep you alert enough to avoid triggering the accident in the first place.

If attempting a plumbing repair yourself, be sure and have plenty of buckets on hand to catch spilling water. While you may have turned off the water supply, there is always some water left in the pipes and the larger the home and more extensive the plumbing system, the more water you may encounter.

If you are upgrading your old plumbing fixtures, strongly consider getting brass fixtures. These are durable and last for a long time. In addition, the choice of brass fixtures will be much more pleasing visually than other fixture options. You can find these in home stores.

Take breaks if you are doing repairs outside in the sun. Exposure to direct sunlight can be very dangerous, so don't work so hard that you forget to take breaks.

There is no doubt that many of the common maintenance and repair jobs that need doing on your plumbing are things that you are well capable of. You just need to adopt a cautious and methodical approach. Don't rush anything or take chances and you'll be fine. And, if you're a husband, you can score major brownie points with your wife!