Simple plumbing issues can not only hurt the image of your home but they can destroy your wallet. Simple things from clogged drains, to more advanced leaks, can be incredibly destructive. Don’t fret, however! With a few essential tips for the do-it-yourself home plumber, you will be ready to take care of any issue.

Do not try to sell a product that you do not agree with. This includes paying attention to the company itself and its values and policies. If you have any qualms about the company, your customers will pick up on it. You want to be a full supporter of the product you are selling

If you have pipes that make hammering and squeaking noises, you have one easy repair. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. If these pipes are on the ceiling, or on the floors or walls, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you finish the project.

To avoid having your outdoor faucets freeze up in the winter, detach all hoses before the first freeze. Also, close the shutoff valve that leads to the outdoor faucets, then turn on the outdoor faucets to let any remaining water in the lines drain. Once temperatures warm up in the spring, you can reverse the process.

If your toilet happens to be clogged, and the plunger is not working, you can pour a bucket of hot water down the toilet, but be sure to pour it from a height that is waist level or above so you do not flood the bathroom. If one attempt doesn’t solve the problem, you can do it again once the water level stabilizes.

You should drain all of the water out of the tank of your hot water heater at least once every three to six months. Draining all of the water out of the tank helps to prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. This sediment can cause the tank to bang or heat less efficiently.

Prevention will save you money on plumbing bills. The repairs that plumbers perform the most are for drains that are clogged. One major thing that causes clots is grease. It builds up over time. You can help prevent grease buildup by looking for a product on the market that will clean the grease out.

One way to avoid a common plumbing problem is to make sure never to flush anything but human waste and toilet paper down a toilet. Other things made of paper like tissues, paper towels, and the like do not dissolve the same way toilet paper does and can get stuck.

When you’re going away on a vacation, you should consider shutting off the water supply to your home. This can help stop many problems before they start. If you don’t do this, you should have someone stop by your house regularly to check that nothing has gone wrong and that your home isn’t flooded.

To protect your money from unsavory plumbers, always get a written estimate before paying a cent or committing to a project. Good businessmen know to under-promise and over-deliver to savvy customers. Once a stated number is given, it is highly unlikely that your plumber will exceed the projected costs of the project.

During the week, hair and soap can build up in your drains and can cause serious clogs. Make sure that you have strainers in each of your drains to help catch this debris so that it does not become an issue. This will help to keep your water flowing efficiently.

Check professional listings to find a good plumbing contractor. It is important to verify that they have a valid license and to check on any complaints that may have been made against them. Only hire contractors with a current, active license. It is a very bad idea to get involved with any contractor that does not maintain a current license.

Plumbing can be an advanced, highly technical profession where more often than not, you need an expert’s help. However, sometimes that is not the case and there are some simple do-it-yourself home fixes. If you take a little time to read about them you will find some of the most common plumbing problems are able to be handled by the common man.