If you have purchased a home and this is the first home you have ever owned, you may not know a lot about plumbing. It is important that you learn some things, however, as knowing you are having problems quickly can result in quicker repairs and the prevention of larger problems. To help you, below are two plumbing problems you need to watch out for.

Leaks in Plumbing Pipes

If you have a leak anywhere in your plumbing and do not get it repaired, the leak could result in busted pipes or water lines. If this happens, you will have a flooded bathroom or kitchen. To prevent anything like this, check under your kitchen sink and bathroom sink often. Feel with your hands for any dampness. Move your hands slowly down the pipes to see if you feel any kind of moisture. You may have a very small leak and not be aware of it.

Make sure there is nothing under your sink that is hitting the pipes. Instead, keep this area cleaned out to keep the pipes free from being hit. You could also place a small tub under the pipes so that if any water does drip, you will see it quickly.

Sink Draining Slow

If the sink in your kitchen or bathroom drains much slower than it normally does, then you have some type of clog in the plumbing pipes. Over time, the clog will become much larger and then the water may not drain at all and fill up your sink.

You can try to remove the clog on your own. Purchase a product at a home improvement store that is designed to do this. Make sure you wear gloves as these products are made of chemicals and can be dangerous. Follow the directions on the packaging to see if this will work well for you.

If you do not want to use chemicals, you can try baking soda and vinegar. First, boil hot water on your stove and pour the hot water down the drain. Next, pour about a half box of baking soda down the drain and then pour about a cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. You will immediately hear a fizzing sound as the vinegar and baking soda start reacting. This fizzing also means the vinegar and baking soda are eating through the clog. When you no longer hear any fizzing, pour another pot of hot boiling water down the drain to clear the pipes and see if this fixes your problem.

If you find a leak or are not able to clear out a clog, contact a plumber in your area such as Brother's Plumbing to come to your home.