Everyone has a question about plumbing, every once in a while. Some of us may need to know how to do...

1. How To Do Your Own Minor Plumbing Work
Everyone has a question about plumbing, every once in a while. Some of us may need to know how
to do general repair work, while others simply want to gain knowledge on doing general
maintenance. This article will give you the information that you need for when those plumbing
emergencies arise.
You can easily fix noisy pipes. Anchor any easily-accessible loose pipes. If pipes are located in the
floor, ceiling or walls, you might want to have a professional help you complete the project.
To keep your pipes from freezing in the winter, insulate all exterior pipes and be sure to keep your
interior house temperature above freezing, even if the house is vacant. The pipes may freeze if the
surrounding temperature drops below freezing. At best, it can take time for them to thaw and for
you to be able to have running water. Frozen pipes can also burst, which can be very messy and
expensive to repair.
A great tip to use to stop your septic tank from backing up is to make sure you have it pumped at
least every five years. This will prevent sediment from piling up in your tank, which could cause it to
overflow into your home and yard, or even cause the entire septic system to fail. It will cost some to
have the septic tank pumped, but it would cost much more to have it cleaned, repaired or replaced
due to sewage back up.
Wait until a job is done before you pay for it. It is customary to put down one-third to one-half of the
total cost before the work is started, but do not pay in full until it is complete. It is vital that you
check your plumber has done all the work he promised before you have over the full payment. This
will protect you against being scammed by fraudulent tradesmen.
Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the
floors. Sit reversed on the toilet (facing the tank) with your feet on the floor. Rock your weight onto
each foot in turn and see if you can feel any weakness or "give" in the floor. You can save money by
noticing and treating this problem as early as possible.
Keep grease, fat and oil out of your kitchen drain. When they cool, they'll harden and clog your
drain. This can make your garbage disposal run slower. Keep a container in your kitchen that is used
specifically for discarded grease.
If you live in a home using well water and your bathtubs have stains pink and orange in color, this is

2. likely a result of iron levels in the well water. A water softener can filter out unnecessary minerals,
and leave you with clean, usable water.
Using your toilet as a garbage disposal is sure to cause problems! Don't flush items like paper
towels, sanitary napkins, diapers or cotton balls, because these items don't break down and may
cause clogging issues. Additionally, use the minimum amount of toilet paper required to clean up
after you are done.
When you replace your shower head, be sure that the replacement head is high quality. Many times,
people think it is okay to buy the cheapest shower head that they can find. The problem with this is
that they are not very sturdy and can break much easier.
A costly repair, in regards to plumbing, are frozen pipes. This problem is easily avoided. Make sure
that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. When it is cold outside make sure you bring in your hoses
or at least drain them. Doing so can prevent some nasty repair bills a professional plumber would
charge you.
Valves that get rarely used occasionally fuse together. Periodically turn these valves off and one. Use
specially designed oils that can work their way through the buildup to keep them loosened up and
operable.
There are a variety of skills related to plumbing, not just ones that have to do with water. A common
task for a plumber is repairing water lines.
Many homeowners aren't educated enough about plumbing. As a result, they pay far more than is
reasonable for plumbing services. If you own your home, it is very important to have at least some
knowledge about plumbing so you can understand what the plumber is doing. This helps prevent
them from ripping you off.
Plumbing nightmares are not uncommon, since many people believe that broken plumbing will
demolish their house. However, you can save yourself the bad dreams with just one tip. In order to
avoid or minimize water damage in your home, you must know the location of the water register,
and be able to switch it off without hassle.
Be very careful when you are selecting drain cleaners. A number of them have strong chemical
ingredients that damage pipes. Choose a brand known for protecting pipes. Not all chemical water
heater repair cleaners are good for your pipes--or for you. Some chemicals are toxic to humans. In
addition, if a cleaner attacks bacteria indiscriminately, it may destroy helpful bacteria that keep the
plumbing system running smoothly.
If you are installing a new water heater and you notice a pipe extending from the drainage pipe,
make sure this pipe is reconnected. This pipe is likely for recirculating hot water, which makes a
significant difference in water-heater efficiency.
If you notice that water is dripping behind your walls, you must turn off the water main and
telephone a plumber. This is an indication that there is serious problem with your plumbing. One
result could be the growth of mildew and mold. A large leak could result in your house actually
flooding.
Copper pipes can sometimes expand a little as hot water passes through them. Your pipes may no
longer fit inside pipe hangers, they may grind against it, and it could damage them. To prevent this,

3. place a layer of tape around the pipe and replace it into the hanger.
Make sure you do educate yourself ahead of time before situations arise. Knowing how to perform
routine maintenance will also prevent future problems. If you follow these tips, you can be ready to
fix anything else that goes wrong with your plumbing.