If you are residing in a house, a loft apartment or even leasing a condo, it is best to become informed about your own domestic plumbing system to be able to avoid an urgent situation that may arise at your home. It takes only a couple of minutes to comprehend the way the fundamental program works, and what you can do whenever an problem occurs.

The Fundamental Domestic Plumbing System
You will find two plumbing systems operating from within your house. Pressurized freshwater is actually generated within your home through water pipes that extend to each level of your home. A drainage network is utilized to remove wastewater from within your home.

Drainage System
You have three components to the drainage system in your home that include the drain vents and waste drains. Pipes carry wastewater down and out of your home while roof fans allow air to enter these pipes to ensure that wastewater flows properly through the system. Each plumbing fixture also contains a trap to make sure that sewer gases can’t flow back into your home.

Water Pipes
There are pipes that carry fresh running water into your home and pipes for drainage for wastewater running out of it. These two sets of pipes never combine, so you will never have to worry about dirty water getting into your fresh water supply.

Shutoff valves
The best way to prepare yourself against any possible plumbing emergency is to locate where all the shutoff valves are for your plumbing fixtures. You should look behind the toilets and underneath the sinks for the shutoff valves. At the first indication of any plumbing problem, your first move should be to shut off the valve associated with the problem and then call your local plumbers.

Maintenance
If you are currently living in an older home, you can potentially save some money by calling in a plumber to do a regular routine inspection. This can help you to avoid any future plumbing emergencies.

Plumbing Problems You Can Fix Yourself

If you’re relatively handy, there are some plumbing issues around the house that you can fix yourself. However, it’s important to know your limitations and to learn to recognize when a problem is severe enough to require professional help. Here are a few do-it-yourself plumbing repairs that are generally safe and easy for homeowners to fix:

Minor Drain Clogs

Clogged drains are usually easy for homeowners to fix. However, don’t necessarily reach for the drain cleaner. If used too frequently, over-the-counter drain cleaners can erode your pipes from the inside-out and irreparably damage your plumbing system. If your drains clogged, it’s better to use a plumbing snake to gently break up the blockage and unclog your pipe.

Running Toilet

A running toilet is also an easy fix if you’re familiar with your toilet’s main parts. Usually, a toilet that keeps running is caused by the water level in the tank being set too high. To fix it, simply slide the rod in the toilet tank to adjust the float to a lower level and flush the toilet to allow it to refill.

Leaking Faucet

Leaky faucets are also safe to fix if you’re handy, especially if you have an older-style compression faucet that used a rubber washer to halt the water flow. Still, if you don’t have the right tools or the know-how, it’s best to call a plumber to avoid stripping your faucet.

Working With A Plumber That You Can Trust

If you need help in an hurry, you may have to call the first emergency plumber that you can get. If you are doing some renovations or have minor plumbing problems, you will have time to talk to a plumber and learn about their experience, their credentials, and their pricing structure. A reliable plumber will have testimonials and should be able to provide you with references upon request.

Your plumbing system is an important part of your home. To keep it running well, develop a working relationship with an experienced plumber, know what plumbing fix-its you can handle on your own and learn to recognize when you should call for professional repair.

Understanding your plumbing system will help both you and your plumber. This knowledge will help you to be better able to explain the plumbing issue and have a better comprehension of the situation.