Have you ever poured grease from a pan down your sink? Do you know how bad this can be for your plumbing system? Use the expert advice in this article for many more critical tips and tricks that you need to know in regards to your home plumbing.

If your pipes make squeaking and hammering noises, it may be very simple to fix. Exposed pipes need to be properly anchored. If these pipes are located in the floors, ceiling or walls, you are probably best calling a profession plumber to take over the project.

Before starting any plumbing project be sure to turn off the main water supply. Water damage can be one of the most expensive things to repair. To minimize damage turn the main water supply off as well as any shut off valves near where you are working. This will save a great deal of hardship later on.

As the weather begins to get cold, attend to all of your exposed pipes by adding insulation to them. Pay particular attention to pipes located in crawl spaces and the outside walls of your residence. Taking this step will help ensure that your pipes continue to function throughout the winter.

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.

Before you start a plumbing project you should tighten all of the pipes that are easily accessible. Especially if your pipes are making a range of loud banging sounds, as this is a clear sign that there are loose pipes along the line. It is also a good idea in case there is a clog so the excess pressure released does not break a loose pipe.

Don’t use bleach tablets, odor removers or those blue tablets in your toilet. These things may help improve smells, but they can damage the rubber components of a toiler, which can cause it to function improperly or even worse, completely break down.

If you have well water and discover orange or pink discoloration on your bathtub or sink, you probably have iron in your water supply. This can be remedied by using a water softener which can be purchased at a shop, or a company can pay a visit to your home and handle the situation for you.

Do not overload your garbage disposal. If you need to dispose of large items, cut them up into smaller pieces. Also, do not put too much in at a time, put one or two items in and wait a few seconds to dispose of the rest. Overloading your disposal can cause the engine to overheat.

When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Choosing the cheapest shower head in the store can end up costing you more in the long run. Cheap shower heads can break much more easily.

Be sure that the dryer’s lint trap is clean. This is preventative maintenance that will prevent many problems, including fires. Regularly check your dryer’s lint trap to see if it has any tears or holes that could potentially damage your dryer, and clog up your plumbing.

If your sewer is backed up, there are things you can do to troubleshoot and clean, including renting equipment like a main line cable. However, often times this does not fully take care of the problem. A professional needs to assess the issue then, using a camera method, and thoroughly cleaning the main line.

One way to avoid a common plumbing problem is to make sure never to flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down a toilet. Other things made of paper like tissues, paper towels, and the like do not dissolve the same way toilet paper does and can get stuck.

When chilly weather approaches, it is time to disconnect your water hoses from your outside faucets. If you forget to do this, water in the hoses can freeze and expand. This can cause the faucets and the connecting pipes inside your house to freeze and break. By simply rolling up your garden hoses and storing them for the winter, you can help prevent costly plumbing repairs.

Be sure to check that your faucets on the outside of your home are free of leaks as winter approaches. If there are drips or leaks, then the repairs need to be make prior to any freezing temperatures. Frozen water will back up in your pipes and crack them, whether they are PVC, copper, or even steel. Even tiny cracks can cause a lot of flood or water damage to your home.

In conclusion, you now know how bad it is to put oil or grease down your drain. Even if you already knew that, you now know how important it is to avoid this and many other potential disastrous situations. Hopefully you can start using this advice today and have a well working plumbing system in your house.