For some homeowners, indoor plumbing can be an intimidating mystery that they’d rather leave up to the pros to handle. And plumbers in your area are just fine with that. There are some things that a homeowner can do, however, to help support the proper function and longevity of their plumbing system. Consider these plumbing solutions brought to you by your trusted neighborhood plumbing service. 

Plumbing solution #1: Know the main

Even if you don’t know how to handle any other plumbing issue, the key plumbing solution that you should know is where your water main is. In the event of an emergency that sees water pouring into your home from broken pipes, shutting off the main is key for minimizing the damage that that situation might cause. The main to your home is typically located somewhere near your hot water heater and will feature and easy to maneuver shut off valve that should stop water from being serviced inside your home. 

Learning how to deal with drains that are clogged

Sure you could call your friendly, neighborhood plumber every time you have a clogged drain. They’d be happy to help you out any way they can. But this is a household situation where you can learn to handle yourself with the right tools. It’s smart to have a plunger and maybe even a snake tool on hand so that you can remove or push through any clogs in the system.   

Another plumbing solution: Play nice with toilets and garbage disposals

You might think that both your toilets and your garbage disposal can handle anything you throw it’s way. That’s not necessarily true. It doesn’t take much to clog a toilet and a disposal, so it’s wise to treat both with care. Both appliances have big, important jobs to do. It’s important to treat them tenderly and to keep a plunger on hand in the event of any clogs that you can handle on your own. 

When cold comes, protect your pipes

Frozen pipes can be a homeowner’s nightmare. So anytime the weatherman on TV predicts a chilling cold snap headed your way, do what you can to protect your pipes. Add cold weather protection to any exposed pipes, and if your home is lifted on piers, consider having a plumber come out to ensure the plumbing is winterized.