Indoor plumbing has moved beyond just being a modern convenience to a necessity. You home's plumbing system is important to maintain so that you can avoid any unpleasant mishaps.

Whether you have completed some plumbing repairs in the past or are attempting your first job, you'll find the tips in this section to be helpful. There is information here about adjusting the water level in your toilet, adjusting the water heater temperature, and finding a good plumber.

Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Plumbing' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

   Adjusting the Water Heater Temperature
One of the easiest, though slightly annoying, jobs that you can do around the home is adjusting the temperature of your water heater. While it may not seem like much, by adjusting the water heater temperature, you can actually save a lot of money on your monthly utility bills. Here's how you do it.

   Adjusting the Water Level of a Toilet
Knowing the correct way for adjusting the water level of a toilet can help you in a surprising number of ways. Whether you have a running toilet, a leak, or a just looking to cut back on your water bills, fiddling with the water level in your toilet will have a huge impact.

   Adjusting Water Heater Temperature
Adjusting the temperature of your water heater is as easy as moving the dial of your thermostat. The difficult part is finding a temperature that everyone in the household finds comfortable. Keep in mind that water can burn at temperatures higher than 150 degrees and adjust the thermostat accordingly.

   Choosing a Water Heater
Water heaters are an important piece of equipment in the home, and choosing the right one can mean all the difference between a large and expensive energy bill, or one that is more reasonable. Choosing a water heater doesn't have to be a long and drawn out process, as long as you keep in mind a few simple guidelines. Once you have the water heater chosen, you can sit back and enjoy the lowered heating bills, and a comfortable bath.

   Dealing with High Water Pressure
Despite what many people may like to think, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. This is absolutely no different when it comes to high water pressure. Dealing with high water pressure doesn't need to be a headache-inducing event, at least if you use these steps.

   Dealing with Low Water Pressure
Dealing with low water pressure doesn't necessarily mean that you have to hire an expensive plumber. Rather, what you need to do is plan ahead, keep in mind a few things, and be ready to think outside the box.

   Diagnosing Plumbing Pressure Problems
One of the biggest causes for a grumpy morning is the sudden loss of water pressure during a shower. If you find yourself faced with sudden plumbing pressure problems, take some time to diagnose them. Diagnosing plumbing pressure problems is relatively easy, and can help you save a lot of money in plumbing repairs. Here's how you do it.

   Emergency Pipe Repair
Have you ever found a burst pipe in your bathroom, kitchen, or else where in your home? If you have, then you know how futile it is to simply wait until the plumber arrives to do anything. It is in times like this where you should do some emergency pipe repair work.

   Essential Tools for the Home Plumber
If you are thinking of doing any type of plumbing work yourself, you need to make sure that you have the right tools for the job. The best way of doing that is to know what the essential tools for the home plumber are. Simply use this list of tools to get what you need for most home plumbing jobs.

   Finding a Good Plumber
As anyone who has ever had any plumbing work done can tell you a good plumber is worth their weight in gold. Here are some simple steps that anyone can use to help them in finding a good plumber before the next home crisis happens.

   Fixing Leaky Pipes
Fixing minor pipe leaks is not a labor-intensive chore. The worst part of the job may be that you have to fit into tight places such as a crawl space, inside of a wall, or under the kitchen sink. If you've determined that you have a minor pipe leak, follow these steps to fix your leaky pipe.

   Foul Water Odor
Got a foul odor coming from your water tap? It could be caused by a number of different issues, as discussed in this tip.

   How Do You Stop Water Hammering?
Water hammering is an incredibly common problem that many, if not most, homeowners will face at least once in their lives. How do you stop water hammering from happening, of from happening again? After all, you really don't want to have to let this problem go on if you can avoid it, do you?

   How to Read Your Water Meter
Have you ever wondered how to read your water meter? Well, it's not all that difficult, and you can even track your own usage by learning this valuable skill. Just follow these simple directions.

   How to Use a Drain-and-Trap Auger
A snake can be an extremely useful tool, at least if you use it correctly. If they are used incorrectly, a drain-and-trap auger can cause a bunch of damage. Luckily, learning how to use a drain-and-trap auger isn't all that difficult. Just follow these directions.

   Installing a Garbage Disposal
Installing a garbage disposal yourself is a task that almost every homeowner, or do it yourselfer can do. Why spend the added money of hiring someone to do the work for you, when you can easily get the work done yourself? All you need to do is follow these instructions in order to get the job done the right way.

   Installing a Pop-Up Drain
If you haven't already got a pop-up drain in your bathroom sink, then you need to think about installing one. Installing a pop-up drain is a relatively easy plumbing project that even a novice can complete in less than an hour. All you need to do is follow these instructions.

   Installing a Shower
Installing a shower is a great way to not only increase the property value of your home, but give you more options for personal hygiene. Luckily installing a shower isn't particularly difficult, at least if you follow these instructions.

   Installing a Wall-Hung Sink
If you don't like the current sink in your bathroom, you can always go with a traditional favorite, the wall-hung sink. Installing a wall-hung sink isn't particularly difficult, though it is a project that can take up to six hours to complete. Luckily it is a project that is simple enough just about anyone can accomplish.

   Insulating Pipes
A fairly common problem that many homeowners face during the cold winter months is their pipes freezing and bursting. One of the best ways to prevent that from happening is to actually make sure that they are insulated properly. Luckily, insulating pipes isn't too difficult.

   Insulating Your Plumbing
Even if you live in a mild climate and don't experience cold winters, you can insulate your plumbing and save energy and money. A simple task to complete, insulating your plumbing can help your water heater work less. Follow these tips for insulating your plumbing.

   Joining Plastic and Metal Plumbing
Learning the proper method of joining plastic and metal plumbing is an important skill that any do-it-yourself enthusiast should learn. At first glance this task may seem difficult, but the truth is it is exceptionally easy. Just follow these directions.

   Keeping Your Pipes from Freezing
If you've ever experienced the aftermath of frozen water pipes, then you've probably already taken measures to ensure that it will never happen again. However, if you're a new homeowner and need to winterize your home, follow these guidelines and suggestions to keep your pipes from freezing in cold weather.

   Locating the Water Shutoff Valve in Your Home
Whether you plan on doing some home plumbing repairs or not, there is one thing that every homeowner should know about their water supply, and that is how to turn it off. The key to that lies in locating the water shutoff valve in your home. It's not particular hard to find, but it is extremely important.

   Maintaining Your Septic Tank
Septic tanks are a fairly common piece of household equipment that need regular and steady maintenance. If they aren't maintained properly you can easily find yourself in a rather messy, stinky, and expensive situation. Luckily, maintaining your septic tank isn't all that difficult, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines.

   Repairing a Compression Faucet
One of the more common types of faucets in the home is the compression faucet. Over time even compression faucets will get a little leaky. Repairing a compression faucet is a surprisingly easy task that won't take more than an hour to complete. Here's how.

   Repairing a Leaking Tank
Over time just about everything will leak, and your toilet is no different. Perhaps one of the more annoying locations for a toilet leak is in the tank. However, just because it is annoying doesn't mean that you can't fix it. Repairing a leaking tank is really easy, as long as you follow these steps.

   Replacing a Gas Water Heater
When it's time to replace your water heater, consider switching from electric to gas. Gas water heaters cost approximately half as much to operate than do conventional electric heaters. Make sure that you allow adequate venting when using a gas water heater, as carbon monoxide buildup can be fatal.

   Replacing a Sink Strainer
Every sink has a vital, though often over looked piece of equipment called the sink strainer. This piece of equipment is what attaches the sink itself to the rest of the plumbing. Replacing a sink strainer isn't that difficult of a plumbing task, and is something that anyone can do. Here's how.

   Replacing a Toilet Fill Valve
Everyone has a problem with their toilet once in a while. Instead of calling an expensive plumber or repair man to come out and fix the problem, do it yourself. One of the more common problems that people can face with a toilet is the fill valve. Luckily replacing a toilet fill valve isn't that difficult.

   Replacing a Water Heater
Eventually everything in your home will need to be repaired or replaced, and your water heater is no different. Replacing a water heater is a project that just about any home owner can undertake, and really isn't all that difficult. However, you need to make sure that you follow these directions carefully.

   Troubleshooting Water Heaters
If you have a water heater, then chances are you know what it is like to have it go on the fritz after a while. Learning the method for troubleshooting water heaters can be a great way to reduce repair costs when this happens. Just follow these guidelines to ensure that you are doing it properly.

   Using a Hand Auger
If you have a particularly nasty clog in your drain, then you may want to consider using a hand auger. Hand augers (or snakes as they are also known) is an extremely easy plumbing tool that you can use to get rid of most clogs. That is, as long as you follow these simple steps.

   What are Compression Faucets?
Have you ever wondered what compression faucets are? Chances are pretty good that you have wondered that at least once, particularly during a remodel as you think about the various kinds of faucets you can have in your home. Well, before you make your final choice, make sure that you know what you are looking at.

   What is a Drain-and-Trap Auger?
If you go to any home improvement store, or talk to any plumber, you will quickly see that the drain-and-trap auger is one of the most commonly used tools around. But what is a drain-and-trap auger? Keep reading to find out the answer.

   What is a Pipe Diverter?
What is a pipe diverter? If you are new to plumbing, then chances are you have many questions like this. Well, if you are going to be doing your own work, it doesn't hurt to learn what you can about items like these.

   What is Water-Hammering?
If you have ever spend any time around the plumbing section of your local home improvement store, or even talked to a plumber before, you have probably heard the term water hammering. What is water-hammering, and more to the point, how do you stop it if you have it? The answers to these questions are both rather simple.

   Winterizing a Hot Tub
Improperly shutting down your hot tub for the season can ruin an expensive investment. Most people should call a professional to winterize their hot tub, but if you think that you can handle the job yourself, follow these steps for winterizing your hot tub.

   Winterizing Exterior Water Faucets
While you're putting your garden hoses away for winter, take the time to drain and turn off your outside water faucets, too. While you can easily replace a burst garden hose, the same cannot be said for replacing a burst water pipe. Follow these steps for winterizing your exterior water faucets.