Water may be needed to live, but it is sometimes a nemesis to a homeowner with plumbing problems. There aren’t many ways to destroy a home’s structure than a major plumbing problem.

You don’t want to end up with frozen pipes, so take preventive action, such as wrapping outside pipes with insulation, and keeping indoor temperatures above freezing at all times. Obviously, frozen pipes occur due to freezing environmental conditions. If you are lucky, you will only experience a minor inconvenience until the pipes thaw. Frozen pipes can also burst, which can be very messy and expensive to repair.

Noisy pipes that make squeaking or hammering sounds are actually a lot easier to fix than you would imagine. You will need to anchor any type of exposed pipe.

Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This will stop any buildup in your septic tank and prevent any horrible issues. While you may find it costly to get your septic tank cleaned out, the cost is much higher to have sewage and backups cleaned up and your septic tank repaired or replaced.

If you discover a frozen water pipe, open a tap on the line to allow the thawing ice to drain. This reduces pressure to keep the pipe from bursting, which may prevent bigger damage for your home.

Do not attempt to fix your garbage disposal by reaching in with your hands. Even when they are turned off, disposals can be very dangerous. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.

Do not pay anything until the job. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but avoid paying the total amount until it’s done. You want to make sure the plumber completed everything that they said they would before you pay in full.

Don’t put fat, grease and other oils into the drain. These substances will create clogs after cooling in your drain. This is primarily true if you are someone who has a garbage disposal; the fats will make the blades go slower and less freely. Don’t put oils down the sink.

Knowing all your different tools and how to operate them is essential to any aspiring plumber. Before attempting any repairs, you should have a plan; otherwise, a mistake could make repairs even more costly.

Clean your garbage disposal regularly to prolong the life of your disposal. Using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap will help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.

Check the floor for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the toilet to determine floor damage. You can save money by noticing the problem early on.

To keep things flowing smoothly through the drain of your bathtub, each month you should feed it baking soda, one cup’s worth, with a cup of vinegar to chase it. Plug the drain afterwards or cover it with a washcloth, as the two chemicals are going to react with each other. After letting it sit for a few moments, clear the pipes out with a gallon of boiling water. This simple solution can break up clogs caused by everything from hair to soap scum.

If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, this is because of the iron in your water. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which can be bought at a store, or have a company come out to your house and take care of it for you.

Always have cold water running when you are using your garbage disposal. The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for a much smoother disposal. Using hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate in the drain, which will cause clogs in your pipes.

Schedule all your issues in one single visit. You may want to have each minor problem attended to as the occur, but kicking the can on some issues until you have a list means you can save a few bucks. Most plumbers charge an hourly rate and a flat rate for the trip: asking a plumber to fix multiple problems in one visit to your home.

Trash should go in the trash basket, not the toilet. Use the toilet for what it is designed for, and it won’t give you a lot of problems. Don’t flush paper towels, diapers, cotton balls, tissues or any other materials besides toilet paper. These items don’t dissolve and can cause clogs. Also, be conservative in your use of toilet paper.

Preparation and plumbing education are what is needed to avoid plumbing mishaps. Any homeowner who is willing to learn more about plumbing will have more favorable outcomes from maintenance and repairs; this may also make the home much safer. By the same token, the homeowner who researches and prepares for tackling a plumbing problem beforehand will be able to fix the problem quicker and easier.

Clean the lint trap in your dryer. This can prevent troubles, including fires. You also need to be sure the lint trap is free of holes or small openings that could allow lint to get to your pipes. This could result in other problems in your home to deal with.