Saving money doesn’t mean you have to live without small household repairs. In fact, the longer you wait to fix your home’s plumbing problems, the more likely those problems will escalate into expensive emergencies. Here’s a bunch of plumbing tips to help you fix things before they get worse.

12 Plumbing Tips:

• Buy the best plumbing fixtures you can afford. With plumbing, you get what you pay for.
• Learn how to fix the inner workings of your toilet. It’s easy and will save you money.
• Drippy faucets usually have a worn-out washer.
• Periodically check for leaking pipes; small leaks will turn into expensive emergencies.
• Run ice through your garbage disposal to keep the blades sharp and to reduce odors.
• Reduce toilet bowl build up and smell by pouring vinegar down the overflow tube.
• Mix water and waster in the sink and then run the disposal instead of cramming food down first.
• Install a hair drain in the shower to prevent clogs.
• Locate all plumbing turnoff valves before there’s an emergency. The main water valve should be near the street.
• Evaluate your washing machine hoses and replace if you detect leaks.
• Turn on the water in both the kitchen and bathroom. Decreased pressure can signal calcium build ups.
• Drop some food color in your toilet’s tank. If the color appears in the bowl, you’ve got a leak.

More plumbing tips: If your the DIYer type then take a free plumbing course at your local home improvement store or start watching “how to” videos on You Tube. You’ll gain confidence in your abilities and might just tackle issues sooner.