DIY Clogged Drains
What Can I do if My Drain is Clogged?
No plumbing system is perfect. Sooner or later, something is bound to go awry. And one of the most common plumbing problems that crops up is a clogged drain. This alone is extremely irritating. But it can lead to even bigger headaches – major overflows and water damage. Now don't go into stress overload about this. It's possible to keep all your drains clog-free. All it takes is a few, simple preventative measures.
First of all, avoid flushing certain items down your toilet. These include sanitary napkins, baby wipes, very thick toilet paper, and homework. Once items like these make their way into your system, they can do some pretty nasty things -- such as expand or snag themselves on corroding pipes. If enough of this debris accumulates, clogs and headaches are inevitable.
Second, never use liquid clog cleaners. These liquids have been known to cause some pretty serious pipe damage. The most reliable course of action is using a plumbing snake or plunger.
Next, install strainers in all showers and tubs. These inexpensive components are super-effective hair catchers.
Finally, avoid pouring fat, grease, or cooking oils into your drain. Any of these substances will easily solidify in a cold pipe, becoming a major clogging agent. It's far safer to pour these substances into a Tupperware container and let it stand until solid. Once solidification occurs, throw that glop away in a compost bin to be taken far, far away in the next garbage collection.
Longer-Lasting Faucets and Sink Tips
When it comes to important fixtures in your home, faucets and sink tips definitely reside at the top of the list. Day in and day out, these handy devices get more than their share of use. But as with anything that sees plenty of action, basic wear and tear eventually will take its toll.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to extend the life of your faucets and sink tips. Just by taking these few simple steps, you can put the brakes on the aging process and maximize the usefulness of these important fixtures.
No plumbing system is perfect. Sooner or later, something is bound to go awry. And one of the most common plumbing problems that crops up is a clogged drain. This alone is extremely irritating. But it can lead to even bigger headaches – major overflows and water damage. Now don't go into stress overload about this. It's possible to keep all your drains clog-free. All it takes is a few, simple preventative measures.
First of all, avoid flushing certain items down your toilet. These include sanitary napkins, baby wipes, very thick toilet paper, and homework. Once items like these make their way into your system, they can do some pretty nasty things -- such as expand or snag themselves on corroding pipes. If enough of this debris accumulates, clogs and headaches are inevitable.
Second, never use liquid clog cleaners. These liquids have been known to cause some pretty serious pipe damage. The most reliable course of action is using a plumbing snake or plunger.
Next, install strainers in all showers and tubs. These inexpensive components are super-effective hair catchers.
Finally, avoid pouring fat, grease, or cooking oils into your drain. Any of these substances will easily solidify in a cold pipe, becoming a major clogging agent. It's far safer to pour these substances into a Tupperware container and let it stand until solid. Once solidification occurs, throw that glop away in a compost bin to be taken far, far away in the next garbage collection.
Longer-Lasting Faucets and Sink Tips
When it comes to important fixtures in your home, faucets and sink tips definitely reside at the top of the list. Day in and day out, these handy devices get more than their share of use. But as with anything that sees plenty of action, basic wear and tear eventually will take its toll.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to extend the life of your faucets and sink tips. Just by taking these few simple steps, you can put the brakes on the aging process and maximize the usefulness of these important fixtures.
Sinks have their own built-in protection should somebody inadvertently leave the water running and exit the scene for a few hours. Called overflow holes, these convenient openings keep the rising liquid from spilling out onto your floor and causing major damage. But they can become clogged. Then guess what? – there's no place for rising water to go but over the side and onto your floor. So for your own protection, keep those overflow holes clean.
Did you know that one simple leak can mean as much as 150 gallons of precious water will be going to waste. Of course, faucets aren't always to blame. Leaks can originate from somewhere below the sink. So by all means keep an eye out for leaky faucets. But also be on the lookout for small leaks or moisture on the pipes beneath the sink.
Remove and clean faucet aerators once a year. Doing this will ensure they're efficiently doing their job of conserving water and maintaining an even flow.
