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Plumbing does not have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There are some basic things that you need to know about plumbing systems, as well as, having the necessary tools to do your own repairs. This article may have a few useful tips and tricks that you can add to your tool belt.

As the weather begins to get cold, attend to all of your exposed pipes by adding insulation to them. Pay particular attention to pipes located in crawl spaces and the outside walls of your residence. Taking this step will help ensure that your pipes continue to function throughout the winter.

Do not let your faucet leak. Did you know a leaky faucet can waste about 150 gallons of water every day? If you have a leak, never ignore it. It could be coming from the faucet or the pipes. Continually check pipes and faucets for extra moisture or small leaks.

Avoid using hard cleaners on your toilets, such as drop-in cleaner tabs in the tank. When these tabs are almost completely dissolved, what's left of the tab gets washed into the bowl. This can then end up clogging the toilet's port holes, preventing the toilet from flushing properly. It can take months for this debris to finish dissolving in those holes.

Never pour grease or anything fatty or oily into your drain. These substances will create clogs after cooling in your drain. This is especially true if you have a garbage disposal, as the fat will cause the blades to run slower and less efficiently. Throw away oils nowhere near the sink.

There are two ways to remove stubborn clean-out plugs. First, the clean-out fitting can be loosened with a hammer and chisel. Your second option is to simply chisel through the plug itself.

Drain the sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater twice a year to keep the hot water heater working at its optimal levels. Simply open the drain valve and allow the water to run out into a bucket until the water runs clear. Then close the drain valve.

Trash should go in the trash basket, not the toilet. Use the toilet for what it is designed for, and it won't give you a lot of problems. You should never flush cotton balls, sanitary pads, tissues, paper towels, diapers, or certain other materials, because these things don't dissolve and could clog up your toilet. Reduce your use of toilet paper if you notice frequent clogs.

Sometimes you have to make the choice between replacing or repairing. If you have an old appliance, that uses a lot of water or electricity, it may be best to replace. Sure, it will cost more initially, but it will save you money in the long run. The other thing is, you can't be sure how well a repair will work out, whereas with a new appliance you'll at least get a guarantee.

Do not ignore a slow flushing toilet. This is usually a sign that something is wrong. It can also cause backups and overflows. The most common causes of a slow flushing toilet are sediment build up, tank malfunctions, or partial clogs. You should periodically check for these problems.

Watch out for decreased levels of intensity in the water flow in your bathroom. This can be a sign of calcium or mineral deposits disrupting water flow. If spotted early enough it may be possible to remedy this without having to replace the pipes.

As you can see, plumbing isn't such a scary thing, it just requires proper knowledge and instruction. Fixing your own plumbing can save a lot of money. Hopefully this article has given you at least a few of the ideas that you need, so that next time your plumbing has a problem, you can fix it yourself.