Water can be a serious source of issues for a homeowner. There are few things that cause more damage to your home than a big plumbing problem. Fortunately for you, there are a ton of things you can do to prevent these nightmares and to fix them when they happen.

It’s easy to fix noisy pipes which squeak or sound like hammering. You simply have to securely fasten any pipes that are exposed. For pipes that are situated inside walls, or the floor or ceiling, you should hire a professional.

You can prevent frozen pipes within the home, by ensuring the temperature does not fall below freezing. Another important step is insulating pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures. The pipes may freeze if the surrounding temperature drops below freezing. It could take some time in order for the pipes to thaw out so that you can have running water. However, your pipes can explode, as well – making a huge plumbing bill.

If a pipe freezes, make sure you turn the closest faucet to allow the thawing water to exit. Doing so provides pressure relief, and might spare you the damage of a burst pipe.

Knowing which tools to use and how to operate them is essential to any aspiring plumber. So be sure to read through all your manuals as well as research as much as you can on the internet where you can gain information to help you with your projects. Make sure you plan before you try any kind of repair, as it can be costly to fix a mistake.

If the hose that leads to your kitchen sink has not been maintained or installed properly, you may notice that water is constantly draining to the dishwasher. 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.

When it is time to replace your shower head, you should consider paying a little more for a better one. Sometimes, people will choose a shower head because it is the least expensive. The problem about this is they aren’t sturdy and they tend to break a lot easier.

If you have plumbing problems caused by grout in the water lines, it is best not to attempt to fix it yourself. You could try to break up all the grout to send it down further. Having plastic pipes rather metal pipes will work a lot better. However, this will most likely require a professional to do the job.

The keys to avoiding plumbing problems is great preparation and education. Any homeowner who is willing to learn more about plumbing will have more favorable outcomes from maintenance and repairs; this may also make the home much safer. The owner who does research and prepares for a problem before it happens will more easily repair the problem quickly.