Most people are unaware that plumbing is something that just about anybody can do. It can be a daunting idea at first, but after you learn the basics, it can actually be pretty easy. Use this article as a guide to help you with any plumbing issues that might come up.

You always want to solder correctly, the biggest mistake most people make when soldering is failing to get the interior of the fitting and the exterior of the pipe clean and shiny. Polish these surfaces with a fine emery clot until bright. When soldering, never heat the pipe, but instead, heat the fitting. Doing so allows the solder to be drawn into the fitting by capillary action.

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.

During the winter, preventing frozen pipes when you live in a small dwelling can be something good to know. Frozen pipes will not only stop your flow of water but can crack and damage pipes. By running a little water out of every faucet during the coldest parts of the day, you can avoid this.

You should make sure not to put oils down the drain, such as grease and fat. Whenever they cool, they tend to harden and make clogs inside your drains. Your garbage disposal is particularly vulnerable to this issue, as the fat solids will slow the motion of the blades. This results in the disposal operating less efficiently. Don’t put oils down the sink.

If you get your water from a well and orange or pink stains appear in your sink or tub, then you can be sure that the culprit is iron in your water. You can use a water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Do not put your hand in the garbage disposal to remove a clog. This can be potentially harmful. Always use tongs to get out whatever is stuck in the disposal. Using tongs is much safer, and you will make sure your hand does not get cut on the disposer’s sharp blades.

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, but one or two items in and wait a few seconds to dispose of the rest. Overloading your disposal can cause the engine to overheat.

Try to limit the amount of hair that goes down your drain. Hair can become tangled up in the pipe and end up blocking up them, preventing water from flowing smoothly. Buy a cheap screened drain cover to put over your drain to stop any hair from going down and clean it off regularly.

To be successful in any plumbing project, make sure you turn the water off before you start unscrewing pipes. This tip might actually sound insulting, but you are probably getting caught up in having the right tools and parts and being dressed right. Double-check that there is not a splash waiting for you. Then triple and quadruple check.

If the hot water heater in your house is over ten years old, you should look at replacing it. Hot water heaters are very susceptible to corrosion on the bottom. This can lead to leaking and flooding whatever room it is in. Then not only will you have to replace it, but you’ll have to fix any damage caused by the leak.

If water is flooding your home, immediately switch off the main electrical power. If water comes into contact with any electrical components, it can become a fatal situation. Once the power is off, then deal with the floodwater. Put your own and your family’s personal safety first, and show each member of the family how to shut off the power.

In conclusion, you do not want to find yourself stuck paying for a large bill given to you by your local plumber when it was a task that you could have easily taken care of yourself. Use this article in order to establish a firm base knowledge of plumbing and what you can do.