Water may be needed to live, but it can be the bane of the frustrated homeowner who has to deal with plumbing problems. There aren’t many ways to destroy a home’s structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.

Have your septic tank cleaned every five years to keep it in prime condition. This prevents sediment from building up in the tank and causing a backup into your home or causing the failure of the septic system itself. The cost to have your tank pumped might be a little steep, but it sure beats the alternative of dealing with sewage in your home or on your property.

If a water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. This relieves the pressure contained in the pipe as it also prevents it from bursting, and can keep them from bursting.

Check your floors for softness around toilets, so that you can ascertain if there is any floor damage. Put a foot on each side of the toilet and put weight on each side, if you have any give you may have damage. This will save you a lot of trouble and money if you find the issue before something horrible happens.

Knowing your tools are what and the proper way to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. Before attempting any repairs, you should have a plan; otherwise, or you may make a costly mistake.

Make a schedule for plumbing work, so it occurs all at approximately the same time. If a problem is minor, it can be wise to put off repair until you have more than one item to fix. This also gives you time to save up for the needed repairs. It also saves you money because a lot of plumbers charge by the hour–they cannot charge for multiple hours every trip if they only make one trip out.

Garbage Disposal

Pour equal parts baking soda followed by vinegar down your bathtub drain once a month. Put a rag over the drain afterward, though, to keep the chemicals from coming back up after the reaction. Wait a while, then flush it with boiling water. This process should open up the pipes by clearing out hair build-up and soap scum.

Never put your hands in your garbage disposal. Even when the garbage disposal presents significant danger. You can look online to get schematics or troubleshooting advice for your garbage disposal.

Be sure that the overflow holes are free of debris. These holes come into use if the skin overflows. Things can get problematic if they are clogged. Take the time to clean out the overflow holes as you go through your house doing your regular checks for various issues.

Check the floor for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. You can wind up saving your money if you notice the problem early on.

Get a good quality replacement shower head. People try to save money by buying the least expensive shower head that is out there. While it may be cheap, chances are you will have to replace it sooner, as it’s more likely to break sooner.

Use strainers on all drains to keep foreign objects and debris from getting through. The ones in the bathroom can be cleaned out on a regular basis.

Be sure to check your dryer and clear your lint trap of any debris. By keeping it clean, you can prevent fires and other problems. Look over the lint trap to make sure there aren’t any rips or holes. This can cause problems like clogs.

If your home operates on well water and you notice pink or orange stains in your bathtub and other fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. You can deal with use by using a water softener, which you could purchase at a local store, or by hiring a professional to come out.

Prevention is necessary when you want to keep plumbing bills down. One major repair is a drain clog. Practically anything can get stuck in those drains and cause them to lock up, including hair, foreign objects and sediment. Avoid this by using a drain cover or screen that keeps hair and other particles from clogging your pipes. It’s a lot simpler to eliminate hair that is on a screen than eliminating it off a pipe.

You can save a lot of money in your energy with efficient shower heads. The majority of the hot water is consumed by showers. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can potentially reduce your energy bill by $100 or more annually for every shower head used in your home.

Cleaning an aerator can remove sediment buildup that causes low water pressure. Take out the aerator, pull it apart, and clean inside with a brush soaked in vinegar. After the aerator is thoroughly cleaned, rinse it under clear water, put it back together, and attach it to your faucet again. Removing obstructions from the aerator should allow for increased water pressure.

Use enzyme based if you want to clean clogged pipes. These cleaners turn the sludge into a liquid using natural bacteria, and remove it from your pipes. The best these days are enzyme cleaners.

There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. The first way is to get a chisel and a hammer and try to jostle the fitting loose. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to break through the plug itself.

Clean the aerator to adjust water pressure problems in case you have sediment buildups. Take out the aerator, disassemble it, and clean inside with a brush soaked in vinegar.

You might not be able to control which plumber you have to use, but you can find out all you can about them on the Internet. Though your insurer may determine the plumbing company that will work on your house, you still have the ability to look them up, read customer reviews and prepare for their visit.

You may not have a choice when selecting a plumber for your residence, even if you did not choose them. If the insurance company you have scheduled a plumber for you, see if they have a website, so you are more comfortable and ready when they arrive.

Investigate the history of a plumber before hiring them. Some plumbers do not have the experience to deal with certain problems, and may make matters worse. It is always a good idea to get referrals from friends or family members, or to check out reviews about any plumber you are thinking about hiring.

If you require the services of a plumber, be certain to do some research first. A plumber with bad credentials might not skilled in a particular task could actually aggravate the problem.Always look at plumber reviews, or ask your family or friends if they know of one.

Seeing sewage back up through your toilet means that you probably have a blockage somewhere in your branch line which connects the sewage line and the main line. A professional can help if you can’t clear the problem yourself. They will use a plumbing snake to get rid of the clog.

As it is with anything, good preparation and education are keys to avoiding problems, and this holds true with plumbing as well. Knowing as much as you can about plumbing will lead to making sound decisions and avoiding costly plumbing problems. A homeowner that researches plumbing and knows what they’re doing before a problem happens will be better off if there is a problem.

Make it a habit to run your rarely used valves on a regular basis to avoid plumbing problems. Keep them lubricated using penetrating oil. Be sure to turn them periodically to avoid sticking.