Proper plumbing is key to a vital element to home maintenance.This article lays out some effective tips for maintaining and fix your home plumbing.

Frozen pipes are on of the worst plumbing problems. Prevent the pipes from freezing by insulating any sections of pipe that are close to the outside walls, and never allowing the temperature inside to be below freezing. It is easy for pipes to freeze whenever the mean temperature near the pipes drop below freezing. In the best situation, it can take hours for frozen pipes to thaw and water to run freely again. The worst case scenario is a busted pipe and a costly repair.

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

Pump your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. 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. It is a small price to pay now to keep your septic in good working order and prevent having to pay for a major repair caused by a backup.

Have your septic tank every five years to keep it working well. Although it could cost a good deal of money to pump out your septic tank, it is nothing compared to what you will have to spend on cleaning up a backup of sewage or repairing or replacing your septic system.

Avoid using any tablets that are meant to reduce odor in and around your toilet. These tablets have chemicals that can damage rubber parts that are essential to the proper functioning of your toilet.

Do not pay your plumber until the problem is fixed. You may have to pay a portion of the cost before the plumber works on the job, though you should not pay the full cost until you can be certain that the job was done correctly. You should know the plumber did a good job before you pay him.

Check carefully around the base of your toilet for any damage caused by leaks. An easy way to test for floor softness is by straddling the toilet and shifting your weight. If the floor feels soft when you do this, you have floor damage. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.

Use filters 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.

Never pour grease or anything fatty or oily into your drain. These substances will clog the drain as they cool and harden. If the sink has a garbage disposal, it will also make the blades less efficient. Make certain you dispose of all oils in other places other than the sink.

If your home has well water and you start seeing orange or pink stains, this is because of the iron in your water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, but you can also consult a plumber if you are unsure.

Schedule one plumber to take care of all your issues in one single visit. 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. You will also save because plumbers usually charge hourly rates, so hours they can charge you are reduced if there is only one trip made.

By having a regular cleaning routine, which includes a combination of lemon rinds, dish soap and even pits from a cherry, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and smelling as fresh as the day it was installed.

When running your garbage disposal, always use a lot of cold water. Cold water keeps the blades sharpened, giving you optimal performance whenever it is used. Using hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate in the drain, which will cause clogs in your pipes.

Overflow Holes

When replacing your shower head, pay attention to the quality of the replacement head. People usually opt for a cheap shower head instead of a quality product. The problem about this is they aren’t sturdy and they tend to break a lot easier.

Ensure overflow holes in your sinks are not clogged. Clear overflow holes periodically when doing your periodic checks for other problems and plumbing issues that need to be repaired.

Be sure to regularly clean out the lint trap that is in your dryer. This will save you trouble, such as preventing fires. Be sure to inspect the lint screen for any tears or holes. That could result in lint traveling down your pipes, and that may result in clogs and other issues that have to be dealt with.

It is very important to always run cold water while using your garbage disposal. Cold water helps to maintain the sharpness of the blades and encourage a smoother disposal.

Clean out plugs can be extremely tricky to remove; they tend to stick easily. Here are two ways you can use to deal with a stubborn plug. The first method you can try is using a chisel with a hammer to get the fitting loose. If the plug itself is expendable, chiseling it into pieces and extracting them can work, too.

Use a cleaner that is enzyme based cleaners when cleaning clogged pipes.These cleaners turn the sludge into a liquid using natural bacteria, which turn sludge into liquid form that can be easily removed from your pipes. The cleaners which use enzymes are the best available.

It is important to know where your cut-off valve is for the water on your property. There should be a water meter either on it or possibly close by. Toilets, sinks and other fixtures should also have cut-off valves. Make sure every member of the family knows where the values are located, and mark them so they are easy to turn off in case the need arises.

Don’t bother running water when the garbage disposal. In some cases, water can actually cause garbage to become lodged in awkward places, which can create more damage.

If you choose to use drain cleaner, select it carefully. Some contain strong chemicals which could cause damage to your pipes. Make certain the one you buy is a brand known for pipe safety. Some chemicals will kill the bacteria your plumbing system needs to function properly and could even be harmful to humans.

You can fix your plumbing with the many hints from this article. By implementing these tips, you will save money since you won’t need to contact a professional plumber.

Assess the actual hot water needs for your family and use this information to increase the functioning of water heaters. Being aware of how many people in your house use hot water, and how many of your appliances will need hot water to work, will help you know the size that your hot water tank should be.