When you have to start repairing and maintaining your plumbing, you might wonder where to start. There are a lot of things to think about after all, from buying tools and equipment to following directions and local regulations. The tips by Master Drains & Plumbing in this article can provide you with what you need to know to become a better 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!

Having your septic tank pumped out on a regular basis will keep it functioning properly. Deposit and debris build up in your tank can result in major problems. It will cost some to have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced due to sewage back up.

The areas of floor around your toilets are particularly susceptible to water damage; here’s how you can check them. Straddle your toilet by rocking it from foot to foot to see if there’s any weakening or softness on the floor below you. Identify any damage and repair it before it gets worse. In the long run, you are likely to save money by not putting off the repair.

A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. Anytime there is something caught in your kitchen drain, you should clean it out. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out as needed.

Got a leaky pipe? In many cases you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a joint is leaking, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of pipe, you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof tape to the section of pipe where there is leakage. Before applying the tape, make sure the pipe is thoroughly dry. Make sure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in the pipe.

If you want to keep your kitchen drains from clogging up, don’t pour grease down them. As it cools and congeals it can trap other food or waste particles, which over time can slow the draining of water and even form a clog that will not be easy to remove.

If you have clogged pipes and thinking about using a pipe cleaner, one that is enzyme based is highly recommended. These are cleaners that work by using natural bacteria to eat away at your clog, and turn it into a liquid that is then flushed from your pipes. Cleaners containing enzymes are some of the best you can buy.

Make sure that any exposed pipes in your home are insulated, especially those found in crawl spaces on the outside walls of your home. This will help keep them from freezing and causing you tons of problems. Frozen pipes can often be devastating and leave you with problems that are expensive to fix and no water in the middle of winter.

Have a specific plumber in mind before you have an emergency. Most people don’t think about plumbers until they find themselves having a big problem that needs to be fixed right away. Instead, choose a plumber who you are comfortable with and whose experience you trust–way before you actually need his services.

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 similar heat source. Start heating at a place nearest the tap, then work backwards.

As you now know, dealing with plumbing is not as hard as you may have thought. There are just many basic things to cover. Deciding where to start is easy once you complete your research and use a bit of common sense to figure out what the most effective method to complete your project is.