(Continued from part 2)

Tip 7. Protect your pipes during cold months: During winter months, poorly insulated pipes can burst from freezing. Even if you live in a “warm place”, it’s still possible for this to happen. To prevent problems, use insulation sleeves on any exposed pipes. It’s also important to take off your garden hoses and make sure there isn’t any water left in them. Replacing all outdoor faucets that are not frost-proof  is a wise investment. If they are not frost-proof, keep them covered to protect them from the cold and always disconnect all hoses from the faucet during winter months, or they will siphon water into the faucet, which may cause it to burst, even if it’s frost proof. Installing heat tape on your exposed pipes is also an inexpensive, yet effective way to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting. If you haven’t done any preventive maintenance on your pipes, turning the faucet on at a trickle will keep your pipes from freezing.

Tip 8. Don’t wait until trouble happens: Arming yourself with knowledge before hand makes you better prepared when you’re faced with a plumbing problem. There are tons of online tutorials to help you when problems arise. Here are a few quick tips to remember:

• Use baking soda and vinegar every couple of months to clean your pipes.
• Use strainers on all your sinks, especially in tubs and showers, to keep them clog free.
• You can also remove the trap under your sinks to clean out the sludge that always accumulates in traps.
• Regularly test your water quality and use a water softener if necessary.
• Check your home’s water pressure to avoid problems.

Tip 9. Check your water heater regularly: Though most water heaters normally work without a hitch, checking it at least twice a year is a good idea. If you neglect it for too long, it’s more likely to fail and leave you without hot water. To avoid this unpleasant surprise, have a professional inspect it on a schedule. If it’s over 10 years old, considering replacing it. If you have a hot water heater, it would be wise to keep a replacement heat element on hand. They are not too expensive and are the most likely component to fail with an electric water heater.

Tip 10. Find a reputable plumber before you have problems: Now is the time to find a plumbing company you can trust. Trying to locate a reputable plumbing company in the middle of your crisis only makes the problem worse. Once you find one, you should request they inspect your plumbing and assist you with creating a plan for maintaining your plumbing systems.

Hopefully some of these tips will be useful for you and can save you money and headaches along the way!