Many homeowners experience plumbing issues at one point or another. The bathrooms and kitchen are the most likely sources of these problems. Plumbing troubles are an expected part of home ownership. Some jobs can be done by the homeowner for a huge savings, so here is some advice to show you how.

Sifting drainers are available for any size drain to prevent items larger than a grain of sand going into your pipes. Clean debris from these strainers after each use. Strainers placed in a bathtub can be cleaned periodically.

Don’t pour oils, grease or fat down the drain. When they cool off, they become hard and will clog your pipes. 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. You should dispose of all oils outside of the sink.

Whenever you have plumbing work that needs to be done, you should schedule all problems at one time. This allows you to save up for necessary parts and equipment while saving money on hiring a professional. It is a lot more cost effective as you will only be paying for one call-out fee instead of multiple trips.

However, if you mix a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda and send them down your tub’s drain each month, the flow will keep going smoothly. This will cause a chemical reaction to occur and you should plug the drain. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. Doing this will clear your pipes of any soap scum or hair that has accumulated.

You should always put plenty of cold water through your garbage disposal while it is running. When cold water hits the garbage disposal, it sharpens the blades. This keeps the disposal working properly. Hot water can clog your drain by allowing liquid grease to build up in it.

If you’ve got a shower head to replace, get a good quality replacement. People often times incorrectly believe that it’s alright to buy a cheap shower head. Cheap shower heads are not well-made and are very likely to break. Buying a cheap shower head will end up costing you more money over the long-term.

Choose enzyme based cleaners if your pipes get clogged. 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. Enzyme based cleaners are not corrosive so they won’t erode your metal pipes.

If you take care of your plumbing, you will have lower plumbing bills. Drain clogs are a common plumbing expense. Drains are frequently clogged by hair. You can prevent hair from getting into your drains by simply installing a device on top of your drain such as a screen, which will trap the hair from getting into the pipes. Taking the hair off of the screen and disposing of it is cheaper and easier than removing it from the pipes.

When plumbing issues come up, you need to be prepared. As a homeowner you will need to have some basic plumbing tools, as well as the knowledge to be able to use them. If you’ve got a plumbing issue down the road, the tips you learned should help you a lot.