It is common for all of us to have plumbing concerns and questions. People want to know a thing or two about general maintenance, and they want to be able to fix some things themselves. This article has both angles covered. That way, you can respond to plumbing problems as soon as they appear.

In order to avoid unsightly and unnecessary clogs in your shower, invest in a drain strainer. This cost-effective addition to your shower will gather your hair before it makes it to the drain, and limit the chances that you will find yourself showering while standing in a clogged-up mess.

Your water heater works more during the fall and winter so make sure that you eliminate all sediment buildup around this piece of equipment. Flushing this device can lead to increased longevity so that you do not face plumbing problems during the winter. This precaution will save time, money and effort.

In order to keep your plumbing bills as low as possible, keep in mind prevention is key. A common serious repair is removing clogs in the drain. Hair can clog drains. A drain cover or screen can be used to stop hair from going down the drain and into the pipes. It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair that is on a screen than eliminating it off a pipe.

Do not be surprised if a plumber charges you more than you expected. Many customers think that fixing a toilet or other drainage problem should be easy, therefore the price should be low. You must remember that not only does a plumber have to charge for labor, but they have to charge for parts that you need.

Sometimes kitchen sinks can be clogged up due to a slow accumulation of solidified grease. One quick fix for this is to try pouring very hot grease down the sink, which will liquefy the grease clogging the drain and carry it down. Water won’t work, because grease will not dissolve in water.

When plunging a drain to attempt to remove a blockage, first make sure that the drain is completely covered in water. This helps to form a seal. Then, plunge at least fifteen to twenty times before stopping. Repeat the process two to three times. If this doesn’t work, try a chemical drain cleaner.

If you own property where the temperature gets below freezing for an extended amount of time each year, you should make sure that pipes located in unheated areas, such as crawl spaces and garages, are insulated. Pipes that are exposed to the outside elements or those that are prone to freezing, should be protected by heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables to prevent them from freezing.

Make sure that the temperature of your home’s water heater is not above 120F. On older water heaters, be sure it is not above medium settings. When temperatures get higher than 120, scalding can occur. Also, having the settings above 120F tends to use more energy than lower temperatures do.

When leaving on vacation or leaving your vacation home, be sure to turn off the main water before you leave. If something happens while you are gone you can cause some serious damage from a flooded basement or a broken pipe in the wall that leaks for weeks until you return.

To make sure your sump pump will run in an emergency, routinely test it by adding several buckets of water into the sump pit. The pump should turn on, remove the water and turn off with ease. Do this regularly, especially if your sump pump doesn’t run that often, to ensure it will work when needed most.

Check the plumbing in your home. If your home has flexible gray polybutylene water pipes, you need to have a plumber come out and assess their condition. These types of pipes are prone to failure and can lead to very costly repairs if they have a failure within your home.

You need to know how to address problems before you actually experience them. Also, doing a little routine maintenance can help to prevent problems from coming up in the first place. Use the tips included in the preceding piece, and you will be prepared to tackle any plumbing issues that may develop.