If your plumbing is acting up, you want to be able to fix it as cheaply and efficiently as possible. Sometimes, it will take a good amount of advice to arrive at the correct solution, so these tips provide a good starting point.

Avoid plumbing problems! Do not stop up the toilet! Some common items that will stop up a toilet include: toys, hair, paper towels, birth control items, and feminine personal products. Do not flush these items down your toilet – unless the instructions say otherwise! These can stop up your toilet – to the point that nothing else will work – except calling a plumber!

Make sure everyone that lives in your house knows where to find and use the main water shut-off valve in case there is a burst pipe emergency. This is especially important if you live in an area where your pipes may freeze. Take a moment to show your family members where the valve is and how to properly shut it off.

Check your faucets for leaks. Check the knobs and the faucet itself. Hundreds of gallons of water a day can be wasted due to leaks and that’s not good if you’re paying your water bill. By stopping a leak now, you can save yourself a lot of money. Leaks can grow over time as well, so avoid a disaster and check all faucets for leaks!

Flush your drain with a constant stream of cold water when operating your drain-mounted disposal unit. Coldwater will allow for the food particles to be properly disposed of while keeping the blades sharp. If you use hot water, any grease that is in the disposal will turn to liquid, and sit inside of the drain, which can clog your pipes.

Have your pipes in your plumbing system frozen? You can skip the cost of hiring a plumber by using this method. First, open the faucet so steam produced by the thawing process can escape. Begin thawing close to the faucet, and move down the line as each section thaws out. Use a hairdryer or a heat lamp to warm along the pipe. Even though this method consumes quite a bit of time, it is safer than most other heating methods. Furthermore, it requires no cleanup.

Make sure to pour a gallon or two of water into drains that are used infrequently. Not only does this make sure that they are clear when you need them, but can also fill the trap and make sure that unpleasant odors don’t enter your home. Doing this periodically will also help you to catch problems before they become serious.

Garbage disposals are a common cause of plumbing problems, which is an easy problem to solve. Don’t just put everything down at your disposal or treat it like a second trash can. Use the disposal things that would be difficult to dispose of normally. Putting all leftover food down the sink is a good way to produce clogs.

You need to make sure outside faucets are covered and not dripping as winter approaches. If they are, it is necessary to repair them before the arrival of freezing temperatures. Both plastic and metal pipes are susceptible to bursting when they freeze. One small crack is all it takes to cause serious water damage to your home.

If you have a leak and your water bill is going up, there is a method you can try before you call a professional. You can use the red-dye system to detect whether the leak is above ground, underground, or whether it has anything to do with the toilets.

Never try to undertake a project that you are unsure of. Additionally, never call on a friend to help you with something, if they are not a professional. There have been hundreds of good friendships ruined by a guy claiming to know exactly what he is doing when the truth is he is clueless.

If you are a do-it-yourself home improvement person, the tips below will help you tackle any plumbing issues. You want to be sure you’re hiring the right professionals to get the job done and save you cash. Follow the advice here and take it to heart.