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Were you aware that winterizing your plumbing system is nearly free and can save you potentially thousands of dollars of repairs. If this advice sounds appealing to you, then be sure to check out more of the expert advice given in this article. You will be much happier than if you had to deal with a water crisis during the middle of winter.

 

 

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.

 

To avoid clogs, pay attention to what you flush. Sanitary napkins, thick toilet paper and baby wipes should never be flushed. These items can expand and cause a clog, or get caught on a pipe. Instead, dispose of them in a sanitary way that does not involve flushing them down the toilet.

 

You need to insulate any pipes have exposure to outside elements to avoid them freezing. You should also keep the temperature in the home above freezing to avoid your pipes freezing. Pipes will freeze if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing. It may take time to thaw so that you can have running water. The worst case scenario is a busted pipe and a costly repair.

 

Frozen and bursting pipes from harsh winter weather is a problem that no-one wants, so plan now to winterize your exterior faucets and pipes against freezing conditions. A simple way to accomplish this is to find the exterior water shut-off valve located inside your home (often located in the basement). Turn off the water valve to stop water flow, and then open up the outside faucets to drain out any water that has collected. Be sure to turn off the outside water faucets tightly after the water has drained out. Take in any hoses you may have outside so they don't crack from the cold weather.

 

Never reach into a garbage disposal that you think isn't working. Garbage disposals are dangerous, even when turned off. Locate a diagram of the garbage disposal, or some sort of troubleshooter, online.

 

Got a leaky pipe? In many cases you can repair this yourself without the expense of a plumber. If a joint is leaking, tighten it with a pipe wrench. If the leak is coming from a damaged section of pipe, you can try repairing with a store-bought patching kit. One method involves applying waterproof tape to the section of pipe where there is leakage. Before applying the tape, make sure the pipe is thoroughly dry. Make sure that the tape covers two to three inches on either side of the breakage in the pipe.

 

Installing efficient shower heads could save you a lot of money when it comes to your energy bill. Most households use a lot of hot water in the shower. Install energy saving faucets throughout your home and you can recapture your cost within the year.

 

Frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage and cost you money. However, most of the time, you can prevent this from happening. First, ensure that all outside pipes have sufficient insulation. Before winter, drain your hoses and disconnect your outdoor faucets. Making sure that all of this is done will have you a lot of money in plumbing bills.

 

Try to limit the amount of hair that goes down your drains. Hair can become tangled up in the pipe and end up blocking up the them, preventing water from flowing smoothly. Buy a cheap screened drain cover to put over your drain to stop any hair from going down and clean it off regularly.

 

The most important plumbing tip you need to know is -- how to turn off your home's main water supply. Once the water is shut off, you can investigate problems and figure out how to resolve them. Walk the family through the house and show them where all the water shut-off valves are, and how to use them.

 

Teach kids how to shut off the toilet's water supply. Kids are notorious for putting large wads of toilet paper and other things into the toilet, which inevitably leads to the toilet overflowing. Especially if your bathroom has carpet, show kids how to turn the water valve off if the toilet water keeps rising, to prevent the mess of an overflow.

 

In conclusion, nobody wants to be caught off guard with plumbing issues especially in the cold winter time. Use the great advice in this article for some of the best ways to prevent pluming issues and stop them once they have started. Ideally, you will be able to understand the concepts provided here well enough to pass on to others.