Plumbing
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Collect used cooking grease in an old jar with a lid, store it until full, then discard the sealed container.
This method prevents smells and contains the waste safely.
- Some users store the jar in the freezer; others leave it on the counter.
6 people, independently
If you live in an apartment building, do not pour grease down the drain to avoid flooding neighbors on lower floors.
Grease clogs drains and causes backups that flood units below.
one person who lived it
During cold weather, let water run at a slight trickle to prevent freezing.
Moving water doesn't freeze.
one person who lived it
Add a teaspoon of bacon grease when boiling potatoes to prevent boiling over.
It keeps the water from boiling over.
one person who lived it
Save pickle jars to store bacon grease, as their high-quality lids do not leak.
The lids are high quality and do not leak.
one person who lived it
Never flush wet wipes or paper towels, even if they are labeled 'flushable'.
They do not disintegrate like toilet paper and destroy sewers by forming giant wads that plumbers have to pull out.
2 people, independently
Substitute clean bacon grease for butter, olive oil, or lard in recipes like cornbread, muffins, and pie dough.
It adds savory flavor to dishes like apple pies.
2 people, independently
Block cold air from reaching exposed pipes using cardboard or similar materials.
It can prevent the line from freezing.
one person who lived it
Use a toilet-specific drain snake instead of a regular one to avoid scratching the porcelain.
Toilet versions are designed not to scratch the toilet.
one person who lived it
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Never pour fats, oils, or grease (FOG) down the sink drain; dispose of them in the trash instead.
Hot fat becomes liquid but hardens when cold, clogging pipes, trapping debris like hair, and potentially destroying garbage disposals or requiring expensive plumber visits.
2 people, independently
Flush only toilet paper; dispose of other paper products in the trash.
To avoid city-wide plumbing blockages.
one person who lived it
Avoid flushing plastic Q-tips or similar small hard objects, as they can cause blockages that professional snakes may not clear.
One person found two plastic-shanked Q-tips blocking the main exit after a professional snake failed to clear the blockage.
one person who lived it
Label hot and cold water lines clearly.
To dumb-proof the installation.
one person who lived it
Use plastic containers instead of glass for grease disposal.
Plastic is much less likely to break.
one person who lived it
Filter bacon grease through cheesecloth or a paper towel while pouring it into a storage jar.
To store it for flavorful cooking.
one person who lived it
Locate and test your home's water valves regularly so you can close them easily in an emergency.
Trying to find and operate them during an emergency is difficult; seals may fail if not moved periodically.
one person who lived it
If you are installing PEX plumbing, consider building a custom manifold rather than buying one, ensuring each water source has its own dedicated line fed from two directions to maintain pressure.
It provides dedicated lines for each water source and maintains pressure by feeding lines from two directions.
one person who lived it
Install touchless faucets in the kitchen and bathroom.
They offer greater convenience and cleanliness.
one person who lived it
Install the bidet by attaching a T-adapter to the existing water supply under the tank.
Installation is easy.
one person who lived it
Store used oil in its original empty container for disposal.
The containers are designed for holding oil.
one person who lived it