Plumbing can cost a lot of money, so being prepared http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=water_heat...

1. Simple Plumbing Tips That Work Well And Everybody Can
Comprehend
Plumbing can cost a lot of money, so being prepared
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=water_heat.pr_help_me and knowing how to take care of
your plumbing can be very beneficial to you and your wallet. By knowing how to take care of your
plumbing, you can save time and save yourself a lot of money, in the end.
Don't be afraid to call a professional. Don't take on jobs to save money, if you aren't sure how to fix
them. Calling a professional plumber saves you money, the experience and know-how can fix your
problem sooner and with less fuss.
Toilet discs and odor removers should never be used in your toilet. These products may well remove
odors, but they have the side effect of damaging the rubber in your toilet, which can prevent your
toilet from functioning correctly.
Act quickly if your pipes freeze! Shut off the water and open the faucet, enabling it to drain when it
thaws. Starting with the faucet, and working your way to the iced-up area, aim a propane torch or
hairdryer at the pipe - this will quickly defrost it. You could also wrap the pipe in a heating pad or
aim a heat lamp at it, but this will take quite some time. A last resort is to wrap the pipe in rags and
pour boiling water over it.
Use strainers in all drains to catch hair and other objects. This will prevent all the material from
going down the drain and causing a clog, which can cause a bigger problem down the line. Clean out
the strainers daily so that you don't start getting backup of water in your sink or tub.

2. Got a leaky pipe? In many cases you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a
joint is leaking, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of pipe,
you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof
tape to the section of pipe where there is leakage. Before applying the tape, make sure the pipe is
thoroughly dry. Make sure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in
the pipe.
It is very important to to use lots of cold water when running your garbage disposal. The cold water
keeps your blades sharp, which helps your disposal run smooth. If you use hot water, any grease in
the disposal will liquefy, causing it to accumulate further down the drain, which could cause clogs.
Drain the sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater twice a year to keep the hot water
heater working at its optimal levels. Simply open the drain valve and allow the water to run out into
a bucket until the water runs clear. Then close the drain valve.
Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A
drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is
clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with
long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.
Find out the plumbing codes in your local area before starting any project. Plumbing codes can vary
wildly from area to area and you don't want to run afoul of the codes. Visit your local building
department to find out information or hire a plumber for a day to help you go over your plans and

3. provide advice.
One of the ways that you can improve the functionality of your shower head is to clean the mineral
deposits from the surface. Unscrew your shower head and soak it in vinegar overnight. In the
morning, brush off the deposits with a toothbrush to help the flow of water for your showers.
Beware of black water in your toilet tank. Chances are, the color is caused from too much
magnesium or iron in your water. Although this is usually harmless, it can be annoying for some
people. If it is iron or magnesium in your water, the only way to fix it is by filtering the water.
In any DIY plumbing project, make sure that you always test the drains and the supply lines before
you close up the walls. It is a lot easier to find and solve problems if you look for them while you are
still in the process of actively doing the job.
Don't just throw any old hot water tank into your water heater. Match the tank size with the heater
for maximum efficiency. Purchasing the proper size tank can be assessed ahead of time and thus
greatly improve the availability of hot water when needed.
Protect you plumbing pipes! If you live in an area which has cold winters and are leaving your home
for an extended amount of time, protect your plumbing while you are gone! Shut off the main water
valve! Drain the system of water by opening the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the
house. Also, make sure that you have left some heat on in the house! Set the thermostat to at least
55 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have an underground leak water heater replace pressure valve in your pipes, it is possible to
detect the leak before digging. Today's leak detection equipment is very sophisticated and modern,
allowing technicians to detect and pinpoint exactly where leaks are before they go about trying to fix
them with professional grade equipment for you.
To avoid water damage to walls in the kitchen, make sure all seams in your counter tops and back
splash are properly sealed using a waterproof silicone. Silicone will dry out over time, crack and
shrink and should be replaced once every three years. Keeping your silicone in good shape will keep
kitchen spills where they belong and not running down the walls.
When it comes to plumbing, there is never an unsolvable problem. If you feel yourself becoming
frustrated with the project, you should try to take a break from what you are working on. The
greatest mistakes start to happen when you become angry and inpatient, so take a break and walk
outside.
Check the plumbing in your home. If your home has the flexible gray polybutylene water pipes, you
need to have a plumber come out and assess their condition. These types of pipe are prone to failure
and can lead to very costly repairs if they have a failure within your home.
In conclusion, it is important to know what to watch out for so that you do not find yourself
underwater when it comes to plumbing issues. Use the great advice provided to you in this article
and you will be glad that you took the extra few minutes to further your knowledge.