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.

Find a plumber that you can trust. Make sure to get referrals from friends and family so that you can prevent getting ripped off, which happens often. Also, make sure not to pay the plumber before the work is completed. If you do that, there will not be an incentive to get the job completed in a timely manner.

You do not give the plumber all the money until he is finished with his work. You may have to put money down before they start working, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done. If you pay everything up front, you have no recourse if the plumber doesn’t finish the job or doesn’t do it correctly.

Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.

Do not pour grease or other oils in your sink or down your drain. These substances will create clogs after cooling in your drain. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Dump your oil outside or in a container that you throw out with the regular trash.

Have you tried patching your pipe with the store-bought patching kits only to have that section of your plumbing continue leaking? Replacing the damaged pipe is a more permanent solution than patching. First, you must shut off the main water valve, and drain the water from the damaged section. Cut out the damaged section of the copper pipe, leaving about an inch of extra pipe on both sides of the damaged area. Remove corrosion from inside the pipes with a wire brush. Apply flux to the replacement pipe and the remaining pipe. Slide the piece of replacement pipe into place with couplings. Apply solder all around the joint, and use a propane torch to solder the replacement section into place.

Everyone in your home should know where the main water shut-off valve is. By knowing where to find this valve, you’ll be able to shut off the water in the event a pipe bursts, a bathtub or toilet overflows or any other emergency that requires you to turn off the water.

Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check them 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.

Many people wonder where the fruit flies are coming from. Each plumbing fixture has a self-sealed reserve that holds about two cups of water. If those pipes are broken or do not seal off, then odors and residue can cause fruit flies. It is recommended before anything to clean your pipes using bleach. If the flies come back, contact a professional.

If you are looking to get new piping in your home, try to stay away from copper ones. Copper tends to have problems, due to water and soil corrosion. It is also harder to install these kinds of pipes. Steel or lead pipes tend to offer the best quality and are the most durable.

Heat up frozen pipes carefully if they have frozen. In colder regions, pipes placed closest to outer walls and ceilings could freeze if not properly insulated. Use hot rags, hot water, a blow dryer, or a similar heat source. Start heating at a place nearest the tap, then work backward.

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.