Owning a home involves a lot of costly repairs, and plumbing repairs can be extremely costly if they get out of hand. Running water and well maintained plumbing is essential for your home. Consider how chaotic it is for your family when the shower doesn’t run properly or a toilet is out of commission! Not all expensive repairs can be avoided, but you can take steps to help save you money.

Keep reading for seven useful tips to save you money on plumbing repairs.

1-Check Your Plumbing Regularly

In order to save money from having costly repairs, check the plumbing in your home regularly for any potential issues. Keep on the lookout for drips, leaks or water stains. All could mean damage to your home and something else that you’ll have to have repaired. Make sure that your faucets are not dripping water. Check underneath the faucets for any leaking in the cabinets. Watch that your toilet is not overflowing or leaking from its base. Knowing the status of your plumbing can help you to act quickly if a repair needs to be made. It could also save you from discovering costly damage.

2-Beware of the Warning Signs

Knowing the early stages of a problem is helpful as you can prepare to fix the problem before it gets out of hand. This not only saves you serious plumbing problems down the road, but it also can save you from costly repairs. Some things to be aware of are strange noises in your pipes, such as a rattling noise. Low water pressure can also indicate an issue. Slow drainage also signifies problems. Keep track of your water usage as well. If your usage is higher than usual, you’ll want to investigate as you may have a water leak.

3-Avoid Putting Items down the Drain

The items that go down the drain can significantly damage your home’s plumbing. Food items such as coffee grounds, grease, butter, peels and pasta should not be put down the drain. Do not throw used diapers, disposable wipes or sanitary products in the toilet. An excess of hair or other debris can also cause issues. Keep your drains as clear as possible by investing in drains for your sinks, showers and bathtubs. Of course, you will not be able to prevent all harmful objects from being sent down the drain, so it is wise to regularly clean them with products specifically designed to do so.

4-Fix Clogged Drains

If a clogged drain is severe, you may need to contact a licensed plumber for help. However, many drain clogs can be fixed with a specialized formula to clear clogs. Or, you can even try a home remedy of vinegar, baking soda and hot water. Simply pour hot water will help loosen grime. Then, pour half a cup of baking soda and let it sit. Take a mixture of half water and half vinegar and add it to the baking soda in the drain. This chemical reaction will help remove the clog. Afterwards, you’ll want to run more water down the drain to ensure that it is clear.

5-Fix Clogged Toilets

Oftentimes, clogged toilets can be remedied with a plunger, which you can find at your local hardware store. Of course, the job of unclogging a toilet can be disgusting and messy, but a necessary task that must be done. Rather than calling a plumber, you may try unclogging the toilet yourself. First, place rags around the base of the toilet, as water can be splashed on the floor. Place the plunger into the toilet and cover the hole in order to create suction. Push the plunger down to remove the clog. This step may have to be completed several times before the clog is actually cleared. Afterwards, try flushing the toilet to see if it is working properly. You’ll then want to make sure that you wipe down the toilet with bleach to sanitize it.

6-Fix Leaky Faucets

This is a common plumbing issue that all homeowners have at one time or another. If you educate yourself on how to resolve a leaky faucet, you can save yourself money without having to rely on a plumber. A dripping faucet occurs for many reasons, such as wear and tear, debris build up or a valve that is over tightened. Before fixing the drip, you’ll need to access the faucet. First, switch off the water supply to the faucet that is leaking. Then, remove the spigot and handles and inspect the washers. There may be debris as you remove these items, which you should remove. If the washer is damaged, it is time to replace it.

7-Insulate Your Pipes

During the colder months of the year, it is highly recommended that you insulate your pipes. As water expands as it freezes, your pipes may burst causing major damage to your plumbing and your home. Insulating your pipes helps to prevent freezing pipes. Purchase foam pipe insulation from your local hardware store. Then, measure the length of the pipes that you wish to cover, and cut to size. Each piece of insulation allows you to wrap it around the pipe, allowing the warmth to stay within the pipe.

Save yourself money by following these seven useful tips. Your plumbing and your bank account will thank you!