Learn some tips that can help you best maintain and repair your own plumbing. You can figure out everything you need to not fall for unnecessary equipment and expenses and how to save money by doing it all yourself. It’s not so scary once you know the basics of plumbing.

Before starting any plumbing project be sure to turn off the main water supply. Water damage can be one of the most expensive things to repair. To minimize damage turn the main water supply off as well as any shut off valves near where you are working. This will save a great deal of hardship later on.

Before starting any plumbing project on your own be sure to do a great deal of research. There are many resources available to assist you in understanding your plumbing system and help you to avoid many common mistakes made by do-it-yourself novices. Reading about other people’s mistakes can make the difference of saving or losing money.

If you know what tools you should use, it can help you deal with your plumbing problems in the right way. Research the project you are going to attempt online, and read the manuals that come with the tools before you use them. Have a sound plan going into any do it yourself repair attempt, since mistakes will cost you dearly in money, time and stress.

During the winter, preventing frozen pipes when you live in a small dwelling can be something good to know. Frozen pipes will not only stop your flow of water but can crack and damage pipes. By running a little water out of every faucet during the coldest parts of the day, you can avoid this.

If water is not coming to the dishwasher, you most likely have a blockage somewhere. You will need to turn off the water supply and remove the hose that leads to the dishwasher. After securing the hose, turn the water back on. See if it feeds into a bowl. If not, then you must find the block where it is at which may include removing more piping.

Set the temperature on your hot water heater to a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees. This helps to save energy and prevents the water from becoming too hot and potentially scalding someone in your household. Older models that do not have a temperature setting should be set on Medium.

DIY plumbing jobs will require that you understand how to solder copper for the lines for the water supply. You can practice this skill so that you will be able to run your lines without worrying about it leaking. Search online for video tutorials that can help you get a handle on how to go about soldering.

If you are trying to decide on the material to use for your hose, stick with stainless steel. Stainless steel has a very solid construction and stays durable for many years, eliminating the need for replacement. Also, this material is less prone to bursting, which can yield severe plumbing issues.

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.

If you have a lot of hair in your shower drain, be sure to get a stopper and put it in the drain. This will catch the hair from going down the drain, which can clog it. Just make sure that you remove hair that is already in the drain before using the stopper.

As the weather turns frosty, make sure faucets outside are not dripping or leaking. If they are dripping or leaking, you are going to have to have them repaired before winter actually arrives. Freezing water can cause pressure to build up, causing your pipes to crack, or burst, regardless if your pipes are constructed with steel, plastic, or metal. Even a hairline crack can make enough water leak to cause a major flood in your home.

When the time comes and you need the assistance of a plumber, the DCA can supply you with excellent records for review or reference. You should verify that they hold a valid licence and look over any bad feedback filed against them. If their license is questionable or expired, you won’t want to hire them to do work for you.

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.

As you can see, maintaining and repairing your own plumbing isn’t as difficult as it may appear at first glance. It just requires doing research, getting documents in order and asking a lot of questions. The work will pay off once you see how it can help save you money.