Moving into your new home could be one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of your life. But at the same time, it could be a little challenging, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner.

Owning a home means that you have to take care of everything, from cleaning to taking good care of your plumbing system. Knowing how to take care from minor to major problems that may come up and be able to locate them is very important. You need to be able to spot the problems— from clog drains to sewer backups, you need to learn how to fix it yourself or have a professional plumber to deal with it.

This might be a little overwhelming, but we are here to help. Here are some plumbing ideas to solve your plumbing issues, or maybe one of these might save you from having to pay more than you need to.

Use a bucket of water to flush the toilet

There is a fast and easy way to unclog a typical flush toilet that doesn’t require a plunger. Just take a bucket filled with water, and pour the water towards the bottom of the bowl where you see the toilet colon passageway disappear. This will clear the toilet while removing the waste and de-clogging the pot. The water level in the bowl will start to rise and just before it seems like it is going to overflow the rim of the bowl, the toilet should flush on its own.

Use a plunger to unclog drains

Do not let soap, hair, and debris clog your drains. Make sure you use a strainer to filter out these elements and prevent them from going into your drains. In the case, you don’t use a strainer and your drains are filled with water, use a plunger and get rid of all the water and particles. You can even use a plunger to unclog a sink. Moreover, you can also open up the sink from the bottom, to let all the water and particles out of the drain. If you do open up the sink, do not forget to keep a bucket under the sink. This will ensure that water does not drop out on the floor but into the bucket.

Be cautious when flushing

Staying cautious when flushing, and being informed around what you should flush can save you from most unwelcome plumbing problems. Keep your toilet clean and ask everyone in the house not to flush any anything other than human waste and toilet paper. So make sure you don’t flush things like feminine products, paper towels, and baby wipes. If you have toddlers, be especially mindful since we see a lot of instances where a toy, pacifier, toothbrush, or other toddler items are found to the culprit of a problem toilet.

Your shower drain needs a clean-up

You might view this as the creature from the black lagoon, but ignoring it can clog drains. Make sure you clear the strainer in your bathroom after every bath and do not let debris clog your drains. Trust me your pipes will thank you later. Maintaining a clean-up routine for your drains will go a long way in preventing problems for you in the future.

Installing a catch-all is also a good idea as it will prevent your hair from draining down. If your sewer system gets clogged frequently, a camera inspection can help you find the actual reason behind the clogs.

Hydro jetting is another way to solve this problem. This is a highly efficient process that cleans sewer lines using the high-velocity water pressure technique.

Poorly installed water pipes

Once your pipes start leaking, you are likely to suffer serious moisture damage which can destroy the overall structure of your home. Never ignore warning signs For example, tiny leaks, corroded pipes, and rusty joints, and especially elbow joints that rust faster.

Check out your home’s supply pieces whether they are galvanized or not. It is advised to change the galvanized pieces as soon as possible as they may create a problem in the future.

If drains restrict the flow of water, it means the pipes are not big enough to sustain the flow of water. Therefore, proper installation is mandatory, which will further protect the pipes from freezing or even bursting during seasonal change.

Plumbing Basics

Know Where the Shut off Valves Are

When you first move into your house, be sure that you know where your main shut-off valve is located. The main water shut off valve is intended to stop all water flow into your house when a plumbing emergency occurs. Shutting this off can save you from extensive damage to your plumbing system and your home.

Make Your Faucets Last Longer

The most common plumbing mistake a lot of homeowners make is over-tightening the faucets when turning them off. This often makes the tap seal wear out faster than it’s supposed to be, making it to be more prone to leaks and other issues. Always remember that a “hand-tight is just right.”

Useful Tools to Keep Around

  • A plunger
  •  Wrenches
  • Tongue-and-groove pliers
  • Allen wrenches
  • Screwdrivers
  • Clip light
  • Auger and hand snake
  • Flashlight
  • Heavy-duty gloves
  • Tape measure

Keep your Drains Clean

As a first time homeowner, it’s necessary to understand that ignoring clogged drains can lead to major plumbing issues. Your drains can be easily clogged—never put hair, food, grease, and other debris down on it, as they will surely clog your pipes.

Avoid flushing:

  • Paper towels
  •  Flushable wipes (even those that are labeled as flushable!)
  • Small toys
  • Cotton balls
  •  Hair
  • Grease
  • Cat litter
  • Gum
  • Cigarettes
  •  Medication
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Food scraps
  •  Hair
  •  Floss
  • Bleach

Have emergency numbers on hand

One of the most important things to remember as a first-time homeowner is to have a professional and reliable plumbing company to contact in case of plumbing emergencies. Yes, there are some things that you can fix by yourself but some issues are just way too big to DIY.

Having a reliable plumbing company will give you peace of mind if any issues come up and will help you keep your home plumbing in top condition.

Understanding Your Home Plumbing Systems

Water Supply System

The water supply system is the main plumbing line that brings freshwater into your home. Clean water flows through the supply lines and enters your house at a pressure of 50-60 psi. Since the system is highly dependent on pressure, this is enough for water to move around and travels into your faucets, toilets, and appliances such as your dishwasher, washing machine, and water heater.

The pipes and other fittings on your supply system are commonly made out of plastic, copper, or galvanized iron. And these pipes are usually about 1 to 1 and 1/2 inches in width and are connected to the main water line.

Drain-Waste-Vent System

The drain waste vent system is one of the most important parts of the plumbing system in your house. Its job is to carry the wastewater and sewage from the sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, and appliances that use water such as washing machines and dishwashers, and take those wastes to your septic tank or public sewer.

The Bathroom Plumbing System

Your bathroom system has a separate hot and cold piping system and is heavily reliant on pressure. The bathroom plumbing handles the delivery of water and waste removal from sinks, showers, bathtubs, and toilets in an ordered, effective, and leak-free-manner.

A home is a place where you seek peace. It is the place where you make one of the most significant investments; therefore, you need to know hacks that can keep your home safe from regular plumbing issues. If you want a professional plumber’s help, you can always contact Caccia Plumbing to evaluate, maintain, and repair your home’s plumbing system.