\nHere’s a list of 10 basic plumbing secrets every homeowner should know. Maybe one of these could save you a costly visit from your local expert.\n
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Before moving into a new home, note the location of the main shut-off valve and drain (in some cases, the shut-off will be located outside the house). You should also get acquainted with sewer line access points, in case you need to conduct periodic cleanouts. Note that apartments and condos may not have their own dedicated shut-off valves.\n
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Are you planning to drill holes or pound nails into your walls, floors, or ceiling? First determine if there are any supply or drainage pipes behind your work area, since you don\u2019t want to accidentally puncture them. You may be able to locate pipes behind walls with an inexpensive stud finder. Alternatively, you could invest in an endoscopic camera, which can be snaked into the walls.\n
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Homeowners shouldn\u2019t use their toilet as a trash can, since flushing anything except toilet paper leads to nasty clogs. Even \u201cflushable\u201d baby wipes can back up the system!\n
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Never dump coffee grounds, food debris, bacon grease, vegetable peelings, or starchy foods like rice or potatoes down the kitchen drain; they will almost certainly clog your pipes. It\u2019s also smart to read the manufacturer\u2019s manual for your garbage disposal to know what, exactly, the unit can handle.\n
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Invest in a high-quality plunger to clear clogs in toilets, sinks, and drains. If you\u2019re planning to clean sink traps, use a plunger to push most of the water out before removing the trap. The task will be a lot less wet and messy.\n
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When you’re trying to dislodge a clog caused by a small, hard object (like a child\u2019s toy, toothbrush, or comb), rely on a wet-dry vacuum. It’s more effective to suck the object out. A plunger will only push it deeper into the drain, making it more difficult to remove.\n
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That steady drip, drip, drip of a fixture symbolizes money going down the drain. In fact, a leaky faucet typically wastes up to eight gallons of water per day, while a running toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. Fix small leaks promptly before they become big\u2014and costly\u2014problems.\n
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A common DIY plumbing mistake is over-tightening fittings and connections, which leads to broken bolts and stripped screws. Remember this adage: \u201chand-tight is just right.\u201d\n
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Plumber\u2019s tape (also called Teflon tape) is used to seal pipe threads to prevent leaks around joints and fittings. You should typically wrap plumber\u2019s tape three times around the pipe threads before sealing. Also note that white tape is designed for common household plumbing projects, while yellow is for gas line connections.\n
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After every plumbing project, check for leaks by running water through the system, then opening and closing all valves and drains. Even professional plumbers may miss a small leak and need to reseal a connection.\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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