Water's the source of life, but can be the arch nemesis of those with plumbing problems. There is not a lot besides a natural disaster that can damage a house more than a huge plumbing problem. As a homeowner, you can take some preventive steps to make sure you are not affected by serious plumbing issues.

If your water pipe freezes, switch on the nearest faucet tap to that pipe so that water can exit when the pipe thaws. By doing this, the pipe pressure is relieved, and this should stop it from bursting, which would prevent further home damage.

To prevent pipes from freezing, don't let temperatures drop under freezing in your home, and insulate external pipes. If the temperature surrounding these pipes is below the freezing point, your pipes could freeze. The best result you can hope for from frozen pipes is to be without water until the pipes thaw. On the other hand, they can burst, which gets messy and really expensive.

Check the floors in your bathroom for any give in order to be sure that there is no damage in the floors. Another great way to check is to actually sit on the toilet and move in a rocking motion, going back and forth from right to left to see how much give you feel. As with many problems, early detection can save you a lot of money.

A strainer positioned over a drain can prevent stoppage by collecting food particles as they try to enter the drain. The strainer in the kitchen sink should be cleaned each time you have large particles trapped in it. The ones in your bathtub should also be cleaned frequently, as needed.

Don't put things like fat, oil or grease down your drains. When they cool, they'll harden and clog your drain. This is very true for garbage disposal, since fat will make the blades run less quickly and efficiently. Make sure you dispose of oils away from the sink.

Water that drains back into your dishwasher is likely due to an improper sink hook up. The hose going from the dishwasher to the sink needs to angle uphill before going back downhill to prevent water from both being mixed.

If you notice orange or pink stains in your bathroom fixtures, this is because of the iron in your water. You can use water softener that you buy at the store to remedy this situation, or you can have a professional do it for you.

Should you spot unexpected water draining inside the dishwasher, you will probably need to check that the hose from the kitchen sink has been installed correctly. Your hose must run in a hill pattern to avoid water mixing. Think of the St. Louis Arch -- start from your sink, go uphill with the hose, and then down before connecting to the dishwasher. This way, only pressurized water can travel through the hose. Leakage won't be an issue.

Keep your bathtub in good shape by using a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down its drain monthly. Cover the drain with a plug or rag as you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to happen in your pipes. Wait a while, then flush it with boiling water. Doing this will help rid your pipes of disgusting soap scum and blockages.

Now you have the understanding of plumbing that you can apply to fix your plumbing issues in your home. Beautiful! The above tips were constructed to add to your plumbing skills, as you are never done learning or improving. You might have even discovered a new and interesting plumbing technique you had never heard of before.

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