Are your plumbing skills a bit rusty? Want to learn how to help improve upon it yourself? If you have decided to learn more about how to better maintain your home’s plumbing, read on for some ideas. Fixing problems yourself will require the purchase of specific tools but you will end up saving money on a professional plumber.

If you discover that a water pipe has frozen, find the tap closest to the pipe so when the thaw happens, the water has an exit point. This will relive some of the pressure, and could prevent cracks from appearing.

Pump out your septic tank at least every five years to keep it in proper working condition. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result. It may be a bit expensive to pump a septic tank, but it will be very expensive to clean up an emergency sewage problem.

Avoid the use of products for your toilet that help with odor, such as bleach tablets. These products will reduce the smell, but they will also cause problems with the rubber gaskets. Over time, the damage will accumulate and could eventually stop the toilet from functioning at all.

Do not flush unneeded things down your toilet if you want to lessen your chance of having issues. Don’t flush paper towels, diapers, cotton balls, tissues or any other materials besides toilet paper. These items don’t dissolve and can cause clogs. In addition, you should only use the amount of toilet paper that is absolutely necessary when cleaning yourself.

Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to replacing a shower head. Avoid the temptation to purchase an inferior quality head for your shower. However, cheap parts don’t work as well and break down more quickly.

Frozen pipes can do very extensive and expensive damage. However, most of the time, you can prevent this from happening. Make sure that any outdoor pipes are well insulated. Before winter hits, turn off the water to the outside faucet and drain and store all of your hoses. If you take these preventative measures, you will save money in the long run.

If you need to remove a clean out plug, and you are not having much luck, there are two methods used to help you do this. The first way is to get a chisel and a hammer and try to jostle the fitting loose. If that fails, you will have to cut completely through the plug.

Though you may have no option as to which plumber comes, you can research them at any rate. If your insurer has just given you the name of a plumber, see if they have a website, read any testimonials and other feedback so you know what to expect once they arrive at your home.

Now that you have read this article, you are probably anxious to get started on plumbing repairs. If you research your problem and get the right tools, you should be able to fix any issue. Through trial and error, you are sure to find something that works for you.