Tips from the Plumber & WINNERS!!!!

First things first, our Lowes gift card winners are.....(drumroll please)......

Winner of the $15 Lowe's gift card is..... of all people, my little sister!

April Tarwater from Exploding with Smiles

Winners of the $10 Lowe's gift cards are:

Rachel from The Olde Farmhouse on Windmill Hill

Maria Pace from Dusty Nettles

I have sent you emails, so if you don't find one contact me with your address so I can get these in the mail for you!

Did you all know that Hubby is a Plumber by trade?  He is!  He has owned his own company for about 15 years, and has about 18 years experience.  Along the way, he has learned quite a bit about how to keep your pipes from clogging up!  Here is some advice he has for different plumbing issues.

1. Preventing Clogged Drains.  The first thing, don't pour grease down your drains.  If you have a pan you are washing that is greasy, after you are done squirt a bit of dish soap down the drain and run very hot water after wards.  This will help keep the grease in its liquid form, and help it not stick to the pipes.  The next thing to add, is bacteria.  Just like our bodies, your septic/sewer system has good and bad bacteria.  You want to have lots of good bacteria.  When you add things like bleach to your wash it kills the good bacteria.  You can purchase bacteria at Lowe's or Home Depot, or from your local plumber.  Just follow the directions, it will help a lot!  Also, if you are having problems with fruit flys, which can actually live in the pipes in your sink, this will help kill them all!

2. Soap Scum and Hard Water Deposits.  I hate to clean both off my shower and tub!!  In order to keep this to a minimum, you can wax your shower walls!  Just use a basic car wax, like Turtle Wax.  First clean your shower and tub really, really well.  Then rub on the wax, let it dry, and buff it.  Do this every 6 months and it will be much, much easier to clean your shower. Oh, just don't wax your shower floor, you may find yourself in an aweful accident if you do!

3. Don't Put Draino down the Drain!  While Draino might eat the clog in your drain, it is also eating your pipes.  Over time and with continued use, it will eat holes in your pipes and cause leaks.   I can asure you the financial cost of the leak, and water damage is not worth it!

I hope those little tips help! 
Melissa