Plumbing problems? You’re not alone. Despite how simple it is to solve most plumbing problems, many people do not know how to fix their own simple plumbing issues. If you’re one of these people and would like to avoid paying for the service, read on to find out how to become a plumbing expert!

Use a hairdryer to thaw frozen pipes, after you shut off the water to the house. A hairdryer will gently heat the pipe and thaw the ice without causing significant damage to the pipe. Shutting off the water first means that if the pipe is broken, there will be no rush of water into the house.

If you have a clogged drain, don’t use cleaning chemicals to try to clear the clog. These harsh chemicals can corrode your metal pipes leading to leaks and broken pipes over time. Instead, stick to a plunger or make use of a plumbing snake to clear them.

Keep the drains in your bathtub working properly by pouring a cup’s worth of baking soda and than a cup’s worth of vinegar directly down your drain every month. This will cause the vigorous bubbling you may remember from the “volcano” in a grade school science project, so be sure to close the drain with a stopper. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it all away with boiling water. Doing this will help rid your pipes of disgusting soap scum and blockages.

There are many ways to unclog a drain. You can try plunging it at first. If that doesn’t work try using a chemical agent from the store. Before you go and spend money at the store though, if you have baking soda and some vinegar handy, you can mix those together and pour them in the drain and try to plunge that but if all else fails they have stronger remedies at your local hardware store.

One way to prevent pipes from freezing during the winter is to keep cabinet doors in your house that contain the pipes open. This can insure that they get adequate heat to keep warm. Make sure also, to unhook and kind of hose outside and run a little water to clear the pipes of any remaining water going outside.

Take preventative measures to keep your plumbing costs low. Clogged drains are one of the more common issues when it comes to plumbing problems. Built up hair can actually clog drains. Avoid this by using a drain cover or screen that keeps hair and other particles from clogging your pipes. You can easily clean out the drain covers on a regular basis; it’s harder to remove hair from drains once it’s fallen into them.

Do not be surprised if a plumber charges you more than you expected. Many customers think that fixing a toilet or other drainage problem should be easy, therefore the price should be low. You must remember that not only does a plumber have to charge for labor, but they have to charge for parts that you need.

Make sure that any exposed pipes in your home are insulated, especially those found in crawl spaces on the outside walls of your home. This will help keep them from freezing and causing you tons of problems. Frozen pipes can often be devastating and leave you with problems that are expensive to fix and no water in the middle of winter.

If you have a foul odor coming from your garbage disposal, this is due to food debris buildup. You need to put ice cubes, orange peels, and lemon peels into the disposal and run for about 30 seconds. Next, run some liquid dish soap through the disposal. This should take care of the problem if there is not a substantial blocking buildup.

It is important to check the background of any plumbers you are looking at hiring, and get referrals if possible. Make sure the plumber is qualified to handle the job or more problems may occur. Always check the reviews on plumbers, and ask those you trust if they have any recommendations.

If sewage is overflowing your toilet, then check the connection between your home’s sewage line and the city sewage line. If you are unable to handle the issue on your own, you will need to hire a professional who can use a snake to unclog the line.

Have a specific plumber in mind before you have an emergency. Most people don’t think about plumbers until they find themselves having a big problem that needs to be fixed right away. Instead, choose a plumber who you are comfortable with and whose experience you trust–way before you actually need his services.

Plumbing problems aren’t so tough to deal with when you have knowledge of how to fix basic plumbing problems. Next time you’re thinking of calling an expensive plumber, pull up this article instead and see if you can fix the problem yourself with the tips you’ve read here today.