Homeowners who are forced to deal with the aftermath of a sewage backup into their home are sure to be proactive about keeping their home's drains clean. But homeowners who have not suffered this type of smelly devastation may not know what signs might signal that a clogged drain situation is developing. If you are a homeowner who would like to learn more about the drain cleaning needs of the average home, especially the signs of trouble that you should recognize, the following information is sure to be helpful.

A water heater is often an appliance that works in the background -- you don't give it much thought until it fails. Knowing how the heater is likely to fail can help you avoid surprises. 1. Sedimentation The most common reason for water heater failure is when sediment builds up in the tank, eventually crusting over eating elements and other important mechanics inside your water heater. The cause is the mineral sediments in hard water.

There is a lot you should know about your home's plumbing. However, most people don't give much thought to the plumbing in their homes until they are faced with some type of plumbing problem. Whether you just want to stay proactive or you have found yourself wondering what's going on with your plumbing, some of the information here may be helpful.  Why should you turn the water off at the main when you are going on a trip?

Septic tanks are an excellent way of managing household waste in the absence of a sewage system. When properly maintained, your septic tank will last for years and is less likely to cause issues such as blocked drains or contaminated drain fields. One of the most important aspects of septic tank maintenance is removing solids from your septic tank. Solids tend to block drainage pipes, interfere with the activity of anaerobic bacteria, and even contaminate the underwater table.

Septic tanks aren't a big hassle for homeowners, but they do require a little extra care versus using plumbing that leads directly to a sewer system. If you're moving into a house that has a septic tank, one of the first things you should consider doing is having your tank pumped. Here's why. It Might Not Already Be Pumped While many homeowners will have their septic tank pumped before attempting to sell their house, that's not necessarily true of everyone.

Trying to take care of the environment often means foregoing caustic drain cleaners in favor of more gentle ones, like a combination of vinegar and baking soda. However, if you've noticed that there's a bad smell coming out of your drains and you can't seem to make it go away with this kind of drain cleaner, then there's a reason for that. Here's what you should know and how to get rid of that stink for good.

Refrigerators are a huge help to have, but when something goes wrong with them, they can become a major headache. If you've noticed that water seems to be seeping out or pooling around the base of your refrigerator, then you could have a plumbing problem on your hands. Here's what you need to know. Troubleshooting First things first: you want to make sure that the water isn't coming from the fridge itself.

Your home's plumbing system is designed so both air and water can flow through. When you flush the toilet, air fills the pipe as water is moved out. Then, the air has to move on through so water can flush again. This action is made possible by using vents in the plumbing system. The main vent is on the roof of your house, and it's where air and sewer gas are released to the outdoors.

If you really want to lower your energy costs, you need to lower the temperature on your water heater. Your water heater is actually one of the biggest users of electrical energy in your home. One of the best ways to lower your water heater costs is by turning down your water heater; when the temperature is lowered, your water heater will not have to work as hard to hit its target temperature every time you need hot water, thus lowering your overall water heater costs.

Cracks in plumbing often occur when water freezes. This is because ice expands and applies pressure to the inside of pipes. If you experience a frozen waterline at your home, learn how to thaw it quickly and prevent your water supply from freezing again with the following steps. Materials Needed portable heater blow dryer towel pipe insulation (tube or roll) ruler measuring tape scissors thermal tape waterproof heat lamp Thaw The Plumbing