What kind of plumber are you? Even though it’s important to know the name and number of a professional plumber or plumbing service so you know who to contact in case of emergencies, it’s helpful to have a grasp of the basics, in order to fix easy problems or to know what to tell a professional plumber when something goes wrong.
Having a strainer is a good first step for most drains and sinks. Make sure a strainer is covering your drains to collect particles and other debris that would clog it if anything goes down the drain. Any strainer used in your kitchen will need regular cleaning, but you should also clean your bathtub strainer any time it is slow to drain.
Prevention is important for avoiding any expensive repairs to your plumbing. Hair is a common source of clogged drains. You can prevent this by using a screen or drain cover that is designed to keep hair out of your drain and pipes. It’s much easier to clean a screen than to remove a messy hair clog in the pipes.
Don’t use your toilet for anything but waste material and toilet paper in order to keep potential problems to a minimum. Never flush down cotton balls or swabs, sanitary pads, used diapers, paper towels, or anything else that will not dissolve. These items can create major clogs.
When attempting to unclog one of your drains, be careful when using chemical drain cleaners. as they might seriously harm your skin if you get splashed. Make sure that you protect yourself by wearing gloves and handling any harsh cleaning chemicals very carefully.
Lastly, know who to contact in case of a plumbing emergency. Your local plumbing professional or plumbing service can answer any plumbing-related question you might have.
