Remember the episode of Golden Girls when they call a plumber, and he is condescending toward them about the job at hand, even though Rose happens to have some plumbing experience? By the end of the episode, with Dorothy’s help Rose was able to fix the plumbing in her bathroom all by herself (despite a few funny hiccups along the way)! 

The fact is, yes, there are more complex plumbing issues that require a call to a compassionate, licensed plumber (we have plenty of 5 star reviews from Southwest Michigan homeowners proving our plumbers are a pleasure to work with)! Fortunately, there are some plumbing jobs you can do on your own to keep things flowing properly between check-ups with your plumbing company.

Below, you’ll find 7 DIY plumbing tips that can both prevent and fix common plumbing issues in your home:

1. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals in Your Pipes. 

The chemicals poured down your toilet (including bleach or even those blue odor-removing tablets) can eat away at the rubber parts in the toilet, which means you’ll need to replace them if they degrade too much. Also, you could cause very serious injury to yourself or a plumber if they are working on the pipes and those chemicals splash out of the pipes and get in their eyes or on their skin. 

2. Anchor Squeaky Pipes with Clips or Brackets

If you hear your pipes squeaking or knocking, do not…we repeat…DO NOT drill holes in your plumbing! Instead, use clips or brackets to secure the pipes to beams and joists in your home. If the pipes are inaccessible to you, then it’s a good idea to call an experienced plumber to help. 

3. Look Out For Water on Your Floor 

If you see water around your toilet, sink, or pooling anywhere in your basement, this could indicate a leak, and you’ll want to fix that right away before it gets worse. Some leaks are simple fixes with a small repair, others may require a greater effort. A plumber will be able to help you find the source of the leak and recommend some quick and simple fixes. 

4. Avoid Putting Fats, Oils, or Grease Down the Drain

These seem like harmless liquids because they go easily down your drain…as far as you can see.  However, they can harden and cause pipe back-ups, making a huge and costly mess on your floor. You should always put these substances in your trash instead (after they’ve cooled, of course!) As an additional safeguard, you should pour boiling water down your drains every so often to clear any fat or cooking oil that may have been accidentally poured down the drain.  

5. Keep Drains Clear with Baking Soda

A simple plumbing magic trick to keep your household drains clear is putting some baking soda down your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Do this monthly to help agitate any debris or build-up. Repeat if necessary. Flush with a pot of boiling water, and voila…clear drains!

6. Use a Hair Catcher in Your Drains Where Needed

Often when you shower, hair can accumulate in your drain and cause a drain clog later on. The solution: Hair catchers. You can find hair catchers available at most dollar stores to prevent hair from running down your drain and collecting in your pipes. 

7. Turn Off Your Water Before a Vacation 

Living in Michigan, we’re all aware of how cold it can get in the winter, which is the perfect environment for freezing pipes when they’re not being used.  So make sure you turn off your water and drain your pipes before you leave for an extended period of time (such as a winter vacation). That way, if your house freezes, it won’t cause a pipe burst from frozen water, resulting in you coming home to a big mess after a long trip! 

So Now You’re a Plumber…Kind of! 

See, we told you that you could be the most convenient plumber in your area from time to time! So be like Rose from Golden Girls and give it a try if you’re confident you can resolve things on your own. However, if you have a larger plumbing problem at hand that you’re unsure how to tackle, BOSS Services is always just a phone call away, with emergency plumbing 24/7 available at 269-468-6682 should you ever need us.  Hopefully, these 7 DIY plumbing tips help keep your home’s plumbing in great shape in between regular plumbing check-ups!