Water may be the source of all life, but it can be the bane of the frustrated homeowner who has to deal with plumbing problems. There are not many ways to destroy a home’s structure than to leave a major plumbing problem.

To prevent pipes from freezing, don’t let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. Pipes will freeze if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the pipes thaw. In the worst case, the pipes would burst, and you would be stuck with costly repairs and a very messy cleanup procedure.

Septic Tank

To deal with a frozen pipe, turn on the faucet closest to the pipe. This gives the water a place to exit as the pipe defrosts. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.

Have a professional flush your septic tank every five years to keep it in prime condition. Although it is somewhat of an expense to pump out a septic tank, it will cost a lot more having to clean sewage backup or having to fix or replace a septic tank.

You do not give the plumber all the money until he is finished with his work. You may need to make a small down payment before the job has begun, but you never want to pay the entire amount until you are certain the job was completed to your satisfaction. You want to know the plumber has fulfilled all his requirements as promised in the agreement before he gets paid.

Knowing your tools and how to use them will make you much better at plumbing. Be sure to plan before starting a repair, it could very expensive to fix the mistake.

Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. They may get rid of toilet odors, but they can damage the rubber in the toilet, which can cause it to break down completely or to not function at all.

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 and treating this problem as soon as possible.

If something is wrong with the disposal in your sink, avoid the temptation to stick your hand in there to fix it. Your garbage disposal is a dangerous device, even when turned off. Research on the Internet for diagrams, troubleshooters or FAQ’s about your disposal.

If your house uses well water and there are orange or pink stains in tubs or sinks, you probably have iron in your water supply. You will need a water softener in order to take care of this problem, which is something you can get on your own at a local retailer, or hire someone to go to your home and fix it for you.

A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. You should clean your strainer in your kitchen anytime you have anything in it. Kitchen filters should be changed often, while bathtub filters can be changed as needed.

By having a regular cleaning routine, which includes a combination of lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, your disposal can be kept smelling fresh and running smoothly for many years to come.

Never put fat, grease, or oils into your drain. When they cool off, they become hard and will clog your pipes. This is especially the case if you possess a garbage disposal; fats and oils cause blades to run less efficiently and slow. You should dispose of all oils outside of the sink.

Installing efficient shower heads can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. Most of the hot water in the home is used while showering. If you use energy efficient heads for your showers, you can realize savings of approximately $100 each year for each shower head.

In order to ensure that your garbage disposal will last for as long as your home, keep it clean on a regular basis. By regularly incorporating a routine using a combination of dish soap, lemon rinds, and even cherry pits, you can keep your disposal running smoothly and smelling as fresh as the day it was installed.

Becoming educated on plumbing and preparing beforehand can help prevent future issues. Knowing the basics of maintaining good plumbing can help a homeowner to make sound decisions. Furthermore, taking the initiative to thoroughly research and study the problem in advance of making repairs will save time and money.

A great maintenance routine for bathtub drains is to pour baking soda and vinegar into the drain opening once a month. Plug up the drain and allow the chemical reaction to occur. After giving the mixture time to work, flush it out by running boiling water through the drain. Although this is useful for clearing away simple clogs made of hair and soap debris, it will not work for serious blockages.