Toilet paper.  One of the simple luxuries of modern, civilized society.  If you have ever traveled to a third world country, you have probably discovered what a wonderful thing toilet paper is.  But if you spend much time around plumbers, you will probably discover what a wonderful thing toilet paper isn’t.

So, is it true?  Does toilet paper really lead to plumbing problems?  Unfortunately, the answer depends greatly upon the surrounding circumstances.

Then how can you as a conscientious consumer keep your paper and avoid the problems?

Keep an eye on quantity - Here is one of the biggest factors (no pun intended) in whether or not your toilet paper will cause issues: quantity used.  If you use a minimal amount of paper between flushes, your system (and any system down the pipes) will likely suffer little to no damage.  If however you enjoy using half a roll at a time, be prepared for the impending consequences…frequently.

Pay attention to how quickly it dissolves - For this one you may have to do a bit of research.  Eco-friendly studies and consumer reports have a great deal to say on which brands of toilet paper dissolve the fastest, and therefore are the least likely to cause problems.  As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the paper is, the longer it will take to dissolve.

Dig Deeper: Can Your Toilet Paper Clog Your Toilet?

Avoid flushing “flushable” wipes - Flushable wipes are the bane of sewage workers across the country.  Consumers may rave about the fresh, clean feeling they leave behind; but sanitation workers complain about the “softballs” later.  Disposable wipes tend to gather as they travel, creating a softball-like wad of unruly and un-dissolvable material.  This translates into time consuming and costly problems.  If the collection happens to be in your piping, be prepared for a problematic bill.

Dig Deeper: Are Flushable Wipes Really Flushable?

So, do toilet paper and plumbing problems go hand in hand?  Without moderation and careful consideration, yes.

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You use it multiple times per day, and probably give it very little thought.

Yet it can be quite discouraging when you do your business, flush the toilet and nothing happens. Toilet problems may seem overwhelming – after all, we all use today’s modern conveniences to maintain healthy living. However, before you rush to call the nearest plumber, take a quick look at the inner mechanism of your toilet. Your toilet’s flushing mechanism could be the problem and, most of the time, these problems are quite easy to fix.

If your toilet refills itself without being flushed, you could have a flapper problem. The flapper is the rubber piece at the bottom of the toilet tank. When the toilet is flushed, this flapper raises and lets the water run into the bowl. When the tank is empty, the flapper reseats itself and the tank fills with water for the next flush. If your flapper is not sealing tightly, the water will seep out of the tank, triggering the valve to refill the tank once the water level reaches a certain point. You can pick up a replacement flapper for a few bucks and make the repair on your own.

If your toilet does not flush at all when you press the handle, you probably have an issue with the flapper chain. The flapper is connected to the handle with a small chain. When you press the handle and flush the toilet, the chain pulls the flapper up, allowing the water to pour into the bowl. Check the chain – it may have come loose from the flapper or the handle, or it may be broken. Reattach the chain. If it is broken, you can use small wire to make a temporary fix.

If your toilet seems to have trouble flushing the waste, check the flapper. It should not close until the tank is empty. If it closes too soon, replace the flapper. If the flapper is fine, you can adjust the water level to allow more water to fill the tank.

Still have questions? Now is the time to call in the experts. Toilet flushing problems are not always complicated, yet may be caused by many different things. And because you simply can’t live without one, relying on a plumber to get your toilet back into top notch working order will help you check one more thing off of your to-do list.

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If you want your hot water system to be “green”, it takes more than simply buying an energy-efficient water heater. Water starts at your water heater. But from there it travels all through your home. For your entire water system to be green, it means concentrating on every piece – not just one or two parts.

For an energy efficient water system to be green, it must use the least amount of water possible while still giving you the access you need. If you think about one of the biggest water wasters in you home, you’ll quickly come up with the idea of letting water go down the drain without using it at all. From filling your kitchen sink for the dishes, to washing your face in the evening, to your morning showers, its not uncommon to leave the water run for several minutes while you wait for the water to warm to the touch.

Therefore it would make sense to add this to your list of things to change.

To heat the water efficiently, you must start by having the right water heater. Water heaters have an efficiency rating that will help you choose the most efficient heater for your system. Tankless water heaters aren’t necessarily the best choice; traditional and hybrid water heaters can be just as efficient, depending on the type and style you select.

To ensure that the water stays hot in the pipes for as long as possible, the next step is to insulate your water pipes.

Finally, to make sure the hot water reaches your faucets as quickly as possible, ensure your water heater is located as close to the faucets as possible. If you have a large home, you may want to consider adding additional water heaters in multiple areas of your home. You can also use a recirculating pump, which pushes and pulls the hot water to the faucet at the push of a button. The demand pump will shut off once the hot water reaches the designated faucet.

To have a truly green hot water system, you must pay attention to all aspects of your water system. From the choice of water heaters to the layout of your plumbing, everything matters. To be green, make sure your entire system is green, not just your water heater.

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Having a clogged drain is a big pain. One minute you are happily taking a bath and the next, your bathwater refuses to go down the drain. One minute you are finishing a sink full of dishes and the next, your dirty dishwater will not budge.

Your first instinct may be to run right out and buy the first drain cleaner you can find. Think again. There are other ways you can rid your drain of a clog. You can try a natural DIY drain cleaner.

Baking soda and cider vinegar – this mixture of one cup of baking soda and one cup of cider vinegar will create a foaming action that is great for cleaning drains. Add the mixture to the clogged drain and follow with plenty of hot water. You can utilize this mixture for regular maintenance of your drains to keep the water flowing.

Vinegar, salt and borax – ½ cup of vinegar, ¼ cup of salt and ¼ cup of borax added to a drain and followed by plenty of hot water can remove clogs. This particular mixture may take a bit longer to work, but if you are patient, you will soon have a clean drain.

Baking soda and lemon juice – one cup of baking soda and one cup of lemon juice will create a foaming action, much like baking soda and vinegar. Do not forget to follow with hot water. This particular mixture may cost a bit more for the lemon juice, but it will clean your drains. You can also use this mixture on a regular basis to make your drains smell fresh and clean.

Boiling water – many kitchen clogs develop due to grease in the drain. While you should try to avoid putting grease down the drain, if your kitchen sink does clog, try pouring boiling water down the drain. The boiling water will liquefy the grease clog and flush the grease out of the pipes.

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Leaks in your home can be a huge headache.

When your faucet breaks and water spews all over your kitchen, you have no choice. Your first reaction is to shut off the water and have the leak repaired as quickly as possible.

However, when you notice a drip under your sink or a drip from your ceiling when it rains, you may not be in any hurry to fix the problem. You may think, “Oh well, it’s just a small leak, I will get to it later.”

Then later becomes weeks and even months down the road – until you simply can’t ignore it any more. And then your small leak has led to a big problem with extensive damage and costly repairs.

A small leak may seem like a nuisance problem – something that is not pressing and can wait until another day to repair. The truth is that a small leak can quickly lead to big problems. For example, a leak in your ceiling near the wall can cause drywall damage. When it rains and the leak drips down your wall, the sheetrock becomes wet. If you experience several days of rain and the wall is unable to dry, you run the risk of developing mold. Mold is a health hazard to you and your family. Mold is also costly to remove.

Standing water can also lead to big problems. Imagine that drip under your sink. You place a small bowl underneath to catch the water. However, you forget to empty the bowl and the water ends up on the floor. This standing water can quickly damage your flooring under the sink. When you finally decide to repair the leak, you may be faced with ripping out part of your floor and repairing it, too.

Instead of letting a small leak turn into a big problem, take action fast. If you notice a minor leak in your home, make immediate repairs – you will save yourself time, money and stress in the long run.

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The dishes are done. You pull the plug. And the water doesn’t go down.

Then the fun begins.

This is a sign that there is some sort of blockage in your plumbing. It could be merely a minor problem – something solved by a quick use of a plunger. Or it could be something more.

The following four reasons may be the most common reason why your sink is draining slowly.

1.    Grease – If you pour grease down your drain, it can lead to a clog. The best way to avoid this problem is to stop pouring grease down your drain. If you have noticed a slow drain and think grease might be the culprit, try running hot water down the drain for a few minutes. The hot water will liquefy the grease so it can continue on its way through your plumbing.

2.    Hair – Hair is another common reason for a slow drain. Hair gets into your drain when you take a bath or shower. You can prevent this problem by installing a hair trap in your drain to catch the hair. Make sure you clean the hair trap on a regular basis. The problem with hair clogs is that they are very tough clogs. They trap other debris, which can lead to a bigger clog. If you think hair is the problem, take action fast with a plunger or liquid drain cleaner.

3.    Soap scum – Similar to grease, soap scum can build up in your plumbing, leading to clogs. If your sink is draining slowly, just as with grease, run some hot water for a few minutes. The soap scum will melt and continue through the plumbing. Since it is difficult to prevent soap scum from building up, use a hot water treatment a few times a month to prevent buildup.

4.    Minerals – If you live in an area with hard water, your slow-draining sink may be due to mineral buildup. Liquid drain cleaners or snakes can remove the buildup. You can also address the hard water problem with your local water department.

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When you make the decision to purchase a new home, you are making an investment in your future. You need this investment to be a sound one – which is why it is important to choose your new home with care.

You may jump at the chance and put in an offer to beat the crowd. Yet in today’s marketplace, its more important to concentrate on getting a solid house that won’t cost you money in the short term. Rather than rushing into buying the first home that suits your fancy, take your time, and consider investing in various inspections before making that final purchase.

A plumbing inspection can reveal many details about your property.

• It can reveal slow-flushing toilets, leaky faucets, toilets that do not stop running, and other potentially costly issues.

• Your inspection cannot only identify potential problems, it can also find the source of the problems – such as a full septic tank or clogged line.

• It can look at your house as a whole, and show you where problem areas lie. It can include the bathroom (“soft” floors and loose tiles, which can indicate leakage, speed and ease of flushing), the kitchen (garbage disposal, dishwasher, interior cabinets for signs of leakage), and the hot water heater (rust, age of the water heater).

• It should encompass all aspects of the plumbing system – from the incoming water lines to the outside sprinkler system and everything in-between

• Identifying problems before making a final decision can be a helpful bargaining tool in reducing the cost of the home – the homeowner can opt to repair the problems before the purchase or you may get a lower price if you opt to fix the problems on your own.

Instead of relying on a home inspector that may only look at surface issues, choose a licensed plumbing professional that specializes in inspections of the entire plumbing system.

Taking the time to ensure that the plumbing of your future home is sound can save you money in the long run – as well as help you to avoid a major headache.

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We live in a time of “green living”. Green living means doing your part to help protect the environment. You can do this in numerous ways, such as driving a hybrid car (or not driving at all), switching your regular light bulbs for energy-saving bulbs, recycling, and investing in energy saving appliances.

All can save money. Yet there is one thing you use more than any other fixture in your house, and it will have the largest impact in over all consumption – your toilet.

Having the greenest toilet on the market today doesn’t mean you have to use composting or revert back to old ways of living. Instead it mean choosing a high efficiency toilet that will help you save the most water possible.

By installing a green toilet, you can do your part to protect the environment by reducing your water consumption.

In 1994, federal law mandated that all toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons for each flush. The first low-flush toilets were not very good at their job – flushing. This gave low-flush toilets a bad reputation – after all, no one wants a toilet that will not properly remove waste. Who wants a plunger sitting around because you need it for daily use?

However, improvements have been steady and today’s low-flush toilets are much more capable of doing the job. You can even go one better than a standard low-flush toilet – you can opt for a high-efficiency toilet (HET).

HETs use 20 percent less water than standard low-flush toilets. Since a standard toilet must use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, an HET will use no more than 1.28 gallons of water per flush. This may seem like a minimal amount of water – just a bit more than gallon of milk. However, these HETs, just like the standard toilets, get the job done.

With the use of a high-efficiency toilet, you can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Keep in mind that the toilets are tested for their usability – so you do not have to worry that you will have a toilet that cannot keep up with your household’s waste. You may even be able to get a rebate for replacing your old toilet with an HET – just check with your local water department for information.

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This year more than one billion people across the globe will participate in the 42nd annual Earth Day activities, with this year’s theme being Mobilize The Earth.

When the first Earth Day was held 42 years ago, 20 million Americans from all walks of life participated. It is credited with launching today’s environmental movement, and the passage of landmark laws that we rely on today, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Today you’ll find people participating around the globe, with activities planned in all types of venues, from schools to churches, individuals and businesses.

Mobilize The Earth is designed to provide people with a way of demanding immediate action to secure Renewable Energy for all, and a sustainable future for our planet. If governments from around the globe won’t take steps towards protecting and preserving the environment, it remains with the people.

One of the easiest ways to get involved is to participate in A Billion Acts of Green. Even the simplest of acts can make a difference and have a huge impact on the overall well being of Earth. To participate, simply choose one thing you will commit to to begin reducing your carbon footprint here on Earth. Here are some ideas to get you going.

• Plant a tree

• Plant a garden

• Change your landscaping to include xeriscaping and native plants

• Reduce use of bottled water

• Increase the efficiency of your water heater

• Purchase energy efficient appliances

• Install low flow toilets

• Recycle

• Install low flow fixtures in kitchen and bath

• Schedule an energy audit

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Basin wrench – a wrench with jaws on a swivel and a long handle

Aerator – a device in the end of a faucet that mixes air with the water to reduce splashing

BTU – British Thermal Unit, refers to the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one Fahrenheit degree

Ball check valve – valve with a ball that seals to prevent flow of liquid

Air lock – flow of liquid being blocked by an air bubble

Back pressure – refers to a pipe system in which pressure resists the flow of fluid

Wash down water closet – water closet with a siphon trap way and a flushing rim

Angle stop – shut off valve located between the piping and a faucet, used mostly to shut off the water in the event of an emergency, such as a broken pipe

Waste and overflow – bathtub drain assembly, referring to the overflow near the top of the tub that prevents the tub from overfilling and the drain at the bottom of the tub through which the tub water drains

Branch – a part of a drain system other than the riser, stack or main

Anode rod – rod in a water heater that helps prevent corrosion of the tank

Yoke – brass casting that holds cold and hot valves and serves as a mixing chamber for water

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