Yes, plumbing is quite a subject in that it is completely subjective by it's very definition. No two...

1. Plumbing - The Top Guidelines
Yes, plumbing is quite a subject in
that it is completely subjective by it's
very definition. No two people view
plumbing the exact same way. What
one finds useful to their system, the
other may not. These tips should have
given you some advice on how to start
with your own plumbing.
Avoid plumbing problems! Do not stop
up the toilet! Some common items
that will stop up a toilet include: toys,
hair, paper towels, birth control items,
and feminine personal products. Do
not flush these items down your toilet
- unless the instructions say
otherwise! These can stop up your
toilet - to the point that nothing else
will work - except calling a plumber!
One way to prevent pipes from freezing during the winter is to keep cabinet doors in your house that
contain the pipes open. This can insure that they get adequate heat to keep warm. Make sure also,
to unhook and kind of hose outside and run a little water to clear the pipes of any remaining water
going outside.
Every now 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.
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.
Don't pay a plumber until the job is completed. A plumber may require some money upfront, but it's
wise to wait until the job is completely done before giving him the entire payment. Many things can
happen between the stop and end of a job, so to be safe wait until you are satisfied with the
completed work before paying.
Did you know that loose pipes might be responsible for the hammering sounds in your plumbing? If
this interests you, you might wish to check out all of the other great information in this article. Take
a few minutes and learn all you can learn about plumbing today.

2. Keep a grease vat in your kitchen to pour all used cooking grease into. Grease is a big reason that
kitchen drains slow and eventually, stop up. Even the harshest drain cleaning products, tend to not
be a match for a heavy grease clog. The grease you save in the vat can be formed into balls and
rolled in bird seed for wonderful winter bird feeders.
When getting an estimate from a contractor on a job, make sure to ask how long the written
estimate is good for. For big jobs you usually want to get estimates from a few different plumbers.
Knowing how long your estimate is valid will help you know what your time limit is for making a
decision on who to hire.
Make sure that you avoid throwing fats down the drain after you clean up your meal. Fats can
solidify over time which can cause a drainage problem and corrupt your water flow. Throw out fats
and different types of cooking oils in the garbage after you finish with your meal.
To prepare for the cold weather, properly drain all outside faucet bibs and turn off the water supply
to those faucets. A piece of foam taped to the outside bib can provide excellent insulation to prevent
any remaining water from freezing or splurge for a specialty cover that comes complete with velcro
closures.
Set the temperature on your hot water heater to a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees.
This helps to save energy and prevents the water from becoming too hot and potentially scalding
someone in your household. Older models that do not have a temperature setting should be set on
Medium.
If you absolutely need to contact a plumber, be careful with the professional that you pick. Like
mechanics, plumbers are experts in their particular field, and they may try to convince you to do a
job or service that is completely unnecessary given your problem. Try to find one who has gotten
good reviews, especially when it comes to honesty.
Act quickly if your pipes freeze! Shut off the water and open the faucet, enabling it to drain when it
thaws. Starting with the faucet, and working your way to the iced-up area, aim a propane torch or
hairdryer at the pipe - this will quickly defrost it. You could also wrap the pipe in a heating pad or
aim a heat lamp at it, but this will take quite some time. A last resort is to wrap the pipe in rags and
pour boiling water over it.
Periodically check your pipes for leaks and cracks. These can be forgotten, since pipes are usually
hidden away, but checking for leaks and cracks can help you identify a small problem before a big
problem occurs. You may have to enlist the help of a family member to turn on and off the water
stream as you are checking.
A plumbing snake is an essential tool in any homeowner's tool box. Snakes can be used to unclog
kitchen and bathrooms drains and toilets when clogged with hardened debris. They are useful as
well for grabbing hold of items dropped down sink drains. Snakes come in a variety of sizes for home
use and heavier-duty models can often be rented for bigger jobs.
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.
Periodically, make sure that the sump pump in your house is working to full capacity. Pour a few

3. gallons of water into the sump pit, and your pump should drain that water out with minimal issues.
Checking that your devices are working throughout the year can pay large dividends in the event of
a crisis.
Protect you plumbing pipes! If you live in an area which has cold winters and are leaving your home
for an extended amount of time, protect your plumbing while you are gone! Shut off the main water
valve! Drain the system of water by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the
house. Also, make sure that you have left some heat on in the house! Set the thermostat to at least
55 degrees Fahrenheit.