Don't let this happen to you.

A clogged drain can be a major pain when you are getting ready for the holidays and entertaining guests. Have a plunger handy next to every toilet in the house in the event of unexpected clogs. Another little tool, called a snake, can be your best friend when the drain clogs and can be had for about $15 at a local hardware store. About 25-ft. of snake is all you need for most plumbing jobs.

Tubs and bathroom sinks typically clog because hair and soap builds up in the drains. In both cases, remove the stopper in the sink and tub, and use the snake to loosen grime and hair.

A clogged kitchen sink is typically caused by a jammed garbage disposal. Most disposals come with an Allen wrench, the funny looking metal pipe that looks a bit like the letter Z. Under the sink at the bottom of the disposal, there is a small opening for the Allen wrench. Place one end of the wrench inside the opening and turn the wrench clockwise and counter clockwise until the wrench spins freely. If the disposal is clear and the sink is still clogged, try removing the trap in the sink drain and use the snake to loosen any clog.

The snake can be used to unplug clogs in laundry tubs as well. In fact, a snake can take care of most clogs, so if it doesn’t work, you really need to call a plumber. The same can be said for floor drains. You could rent a sewer machine, however, if the end of the snake catches on something in your pipes, it will stop turning and can be seriously dangerous to remove yourself.

Throw turkey skin, bones and fibrous vegetables in the trash.

Halloween may be over, but the biggest nightmare for plumbers is just starting….Thanksgiving. This is the time when plumbers receive the most emergency calls for clogged drains and toilets primarily induced by paper happy guests and stuffing too much food down the garbage disposal. Milwaukee Professional Plumbing Contractors have a rescue plan to bail out homeowners before they make the decision to throw the wrong foods down the disposal. A simple guide to what and how much food is garbage disposal friendly.

First, more than a handful of food down the drain is too much for most disposals to handle. Always run water when using the disposal and keep the water running a few seconds after you turn the disposal off to clear the pipes.

Grease is better off poured into a tin can rather than down the drain. It will congeal and solidify inside drainpipes. Throw any grease away after it solidifies in the tin can.

Throw turkey skin, bones and fibrous vegetables in the trash. If you’re expecting a lot of guests, make sure you have a large enough wastebasket in the bathroom, particularly if your guests have babies that use disposable diapers. Keep paper towels and heavy napkins out of the bathroom and stock the lavatory with clean towels and lightweight napkins to keep your toilet from becoming a dispose-all.

Following these simple guidelines will keep the holidays merry and thankfully even plumbers will be able to spend more time with their own families this season.

But, buyers beware. Some of these properties may have been vacant for quite some time. The previous owner may have left on bad terms and vandalized the property even though the damage is not visible. What can’t be seen, can turn a person’s dream home into a money pit, particularly when it comes to plumbing.

Tim Irvine, a service manager at Zien Mechanical, says the first thing he would do when shopping a foreclosed home is to make sure the main drain is open. Take a garden hose and run water in the main drain for at least 15 minutes to make sure the drain is clear and there are no broken pipes outside.

In the basement, inspect the ceiling and every joist for water stains. A water stain always tells the truth and is a telltale sign of a water problem. Staining or mold on basement walls or the legs of any furniture are also clues to previous water damage. Examine every corner of the basement and where the wall meets the floor for any staining. If anything is up on blocks or bricks, it’s probably because there has been water in the basement. Irvine also says if the basement floor has been freshly painted, proceed with caution.

Finally, check every bathroom, kitchen and basement fixture, and look under the sinks for mushy wood, moisture or mold stains.

Water seepage and clogged drains are the biggest plumbing concerns when considering the purchase of an older or foreclosed home. Do not proceed with any purchase agreement without knowing the cause of the problem. Irvine recommends a video inspection of the main drain. Most licensed plumbers either own or have access to a video camera. The video inspection costs around $400, but could protect the homeowner against a $5,000 problem.

The State of Wisconsin requires homeowners to use licensed plumbers on any new installations.

Spring has historically been one of the biggest seasons for home remodeling projects.  In today’s economy, many folks are looking for ways to save money in materials, doing the project themselves or hiring cheaper labor.  When it comes to complex installations like plumbing, organizations like the PPC urge home and business owners to get the job done the right the first time by hiring licensed plumbers.  It’s not only the smart thing to do, it’s the law.

The state of Wisconsin requires plumbing installations to be handled by licensed master plumbers or journeymen.  There are exceptions in some communities where the home is owned and occupied by the resident; however any plumbing work installed in a new home must be done by a licensed plumber.

Jim Miller, section chief with the Department of Commerce Safety & Building Division says this law has many advantages to the homeowner.  “Licensed plumbers have the proven competency and knowledge to get the job done right.  They are continuously trained and are under the supervision of a master plumber at all times.”

Miller says that master plumbers are required to go through eight years of training that includes an apprenticeship with five years of classroom study and three years of on-the-job training.  Five years of training are required for licensed plumbers.  In addition, the plumber must pass a rigorous state competency exam for licensing.  To maintain their license, plumbers are also required to undergo at least six hours of continuous training every year at training centers provided by organizations like Plumbers 75.  The training centers keep members up-to-date on the latest products, codes and technology available in the plumbing industry.

“When changing a faucet, there can be a problem in the installation that is not easy to fix,” says Mike House, business agent at Plumbers 75.  “Take the case of a retrofit for a valued fixture or faucet in an older home that the owner wants to save.  A licensed plumber would have the knowledge and resources available to possibly save the fixture.”

If you plan to do a home remodel, the National Home Builders Association offers five tips for a successful experience.

1.      Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and a budget for the work.

2.      Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.

3.      Check the remodeler’s references.

4.      Agree on a contract.

5.      Take advantage of energy efficiency tax credits.

A good, reputable home remodeler will only employ a licensed master plumber or journeyman to conduct or supervise your plumbing installation.  Don’t be afraid to ask to see a license.  If you are hiring a plumber to do the work, you can ensure the plumber is licensed by using the PPC contractor search tool provided on this website.

• Plumbers snake or toilet auger for drain clogs

• Anything that tightens or loosens, including channel lock pliers, an adjustable wrench, and screwdrivers

• Plungers for each bathroom

• A heat gun or hair dryer for frozen pipes

• String fingers to help retrieve items that drop down the drain

• A hex wrench that fits in the bottom of the garbage disposal to loosen clogs

• A spare sump pump in the event the old one breaks or there is too much water for the one pump to handle

One thing that I learned the hard way is to know where your main water shut-off valve is. When a pipe or toilet leaks you’ll want to get the water turned off immediately before you have to start bailing. The PPC offers free valve tags you can put on the pipe so you or anyone else in the family can find the valve quickly in the event of a plumbing emergency. You can follow this link to get one for your home.