Drains have a tendency to clog at the most inopportune times, like when you’re cooking a holiday feast for a house full of guests or when enjoying a relaxing shower, you find yourself standing in ankle-length water. But before you reach for the Drano, you should reconsider. Drano and other drain opening products are caustic and dangerous to use. These conventional drain cleaners contain the man-made chemical sodium hydroxide, which can damage the piping and finish on …

Even the most dedicated do-it-yourselfer is better off leaving plumbing to the professionals. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know the rudiments of the subject. Here are seven tips to keep in mind, courtesy of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Lesson No. 1: Preventative Maintenance. You no longer have to take your plumber’s word for it when he tells you your drainpipes need repair. Mr. Rooter can put a video camera down the pipes to show you just where the problem is, usually …

As a homeowner, you are not legally permitted to perform your own renovation work, with the exception of the electrical, but it is strongly recommended amateurs not do this as disastrous results can occur.