It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to fixing your plumbing. There are many different tools and equipment that will need to be purchased along with a lot of directions and regulations that need to be followed. Read the tips contained in this article so that you will have the knowledge to become an excellent plumber.

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!

To prevent the pipes from freezing, it is advisable to seal off air vents, cracks and access doors. In order to keep the heat in and the cold out, you can try using insulation or caulk. In the event a leak occurs, make it a point to remind everyone where the master circuit breaker is so it can be shut off immediately.

You can unclog a toilet by pouring warm water in the bowl from waist level. You could repeat this process again if the water in the toilet bowl gets low.

You can check your toilet for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring, Kool Aid or some coffee grounds to the water in the toilet’s tank (not the water in the bowl). Check the water in the bowl after a half hour or so. If any of the coloring agent is visible in the water in the bowl, the tank is leaking, and you will have to have it repaired.

Keep the drains in your bathtub working properly by pouring a cup’s worth of baking soda and than a cup’s worth of vinegar directly down your drain every month. Plug the opening or cover it with a cloth while the chemical reaction takes place. After giving the mixture time to work, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. By taking these steps, you have a good chance of ridding your pipes of hair and soap scum.

To keep possible toilet problems as small as possible, you should prevent using it like it’s a trash can. Do not flush sanitary pads, paper towels, cotton balls, tissues, diapers or other materials, as these items do not dissolve and could cause clogs. Don’t flush massive amounts of toilet paper at once, either. Most of the time, you shouldn’t need a lot of toilet paper to clean yourself; don’t use more than necessary. If you have an emergency that requires a lot of cleaning, flush toilet paper a little bit at a time instead of all at once.

DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.

There are simple ways to check your toilet for leaks that can ultimately lead to great cost savings in the long run. The easiest way to do this is to pour a small amount of food dye into the holding tank of your toilet overnight. In the morning, if you have any color in the basin then you know you have a leak that needs some attention.

Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.

To be able to get a good plumber you can be comfortable with, remember which of your friends are actual home owners and not renting. At some point, every home owner has had to call in a plumber. They can give you a good personal reference they had a positive experience with.

If you have a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is due to food debris buildup. You need to put ice cubes, orange peels, and lemon peels into the disposal and run for about 30 seconds. Next, run some liquid dish soap through the disposal. This should take care of the problem if there is not a substantial blocking buildup.

Plumbing, while at first it may seem intimidating, doesn’t have to be complicated at all. There are many basics that you should know first. You just need to do some research, use common sense, and work to find the most effective method to complete your job.