Ever wonder where the stuff you flush down the toilet goes? No? Well, fair enough... flush it and say goodbye! Unfortunately, many of us do have to think about it. Nearly half of all Americans live in a house with a septic tank. We won't go into details, but this is the place where all your "wastewater" (okay, it's sewage) goes. We all flush and forget, but your septic tank needs ordinary maintenance.
He continues to review the scene of destruction, occasionally muttering "Hmmm" under his breath. Somehow, I intuitively know that every "hmmm" is costing me an additional fifty dollars.
Some local plumber valves do not take washers and therefore you cannot repair them. If you have a washerless shut-off valve that leaks it will need to be replaced. You will need: a propane torch, solder, flux, sandcloth, a wire fitting brush, a small section of copper pipe (most likely 3/4" I.D.), a slip coupling (again probably 3/4") and a shut-off valve. I would highly recommend installing a ball valve with a drain on it as opposed to a washer style valve. If you purchase a decent quality ball valve it will last a very long time.
Check on the plumber's licensing and insurance. You can ask about this over the phone before you even make an appointment. If the Trustworthy plumber, or his representative on the phone, cannot provide the master plumbing license number quickly and easily, that's your cue to move on.
If you have to call your Local plumber to do work such as renovating your kitchen or bathroom, purchase the parts yourself directly from your plumbing merchant. You can often save considerable money by buying this way, and most plumbers are happy to supply you with the information to enable to buy the correct fixtures for your job.
Kitchen sink drains are usually plugged by food particles. Discretion should be exercised in using a garbage disposal. Tough and fibrous food like corn husks and onion skins should not be run through the disposal. Large amounts of potato peelings can also cause problems by forming a thick slurry.
Every homeowner should develop a working relationship with a reliable plumber, one who will give 24/7 emergency service. Plumbing emergencies seem to happen at night or on the weekend. Few things paralyze a busy household like a plumbing emergency.