Well, you’ve decided to perfect the plumbing of your house. Good for you! However, there is so much information that you may not know where to begin. Don’t worry, plumbing tips are here! Listed below are some tips that will help you get started and organized, so that you can become a plumbing expert.

Rigid copper is used for main water lines in many homes. You cannot bend rigid copper, so joints and tees must be soldered on. When soldering, always apply flux (also called soldering paste) to both surfaces. Flux retards oxidation when the copper is heated. Always use lead-free or nearly lead-free solder when sweating a copper joint.

Don’t be afraid to call a professional. Don’t take on jobs to save money, if you aren’t sure how to fix them. Calling a professional plumber saves you money, the experience and know-how can fix your problem sooner and with less fuss.

If you discover that a water pipe has frozen, find the tap closest to the pipe so when the thaw happens, the water has an exit point. Letting the water drain out will relieve pressure in the frozen pipe, which will reduce the chances of it bursting and damaging your home.

Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.

Do not ignore a slow flushing toilet. This is usually a sign that something is wrong. It can also cause backups and overflows. The most common causes of a slow flushing toilet are sediment build up, tank malfunctions, or partial clogs. You should periodically check for these problems.

If you live in an area that sees routine freezing temperatures, make sure you do something to keep your pipes from becoming frozen as well. There are a wide variety of ways you can keep your pipes from freezing, which will help you avoid damage to your home and costly repairs.

To avoid freezing pipes in the winter, make sure to insulate any exposed pipes in you basement before winter comes. Pay extra attention to pipes near the outside walls. If you have had a problem with any particular pipe freezing in the past, apply some heat tape to insulate those pipes.

Before it gets cold, you want to make certain your outside faucets aren’t dripping or leaking. If there are problems, you must make the needed fixes prior to the arrival of freezing temperatures. Whatever the material of your pipes, freezing water causes pressure that can make them crack. Even a hairline crack can make enough water leak to cause a major flood in your home.

You should feel better after reading those tips when it comes to plumbing. That was a lot to read through, but at least you should have an idea of what to do and where to begin with your home’s plumbing. Besides, you can always come back to this list if you need to.…

Has the time come to replace your aging HVAC system? Do you want to upgrade the efficiency of your current set-up? Are you having issues with rooms which are uncomfortable to live in? Regardless of why you are here, this article has the tips and tricks you need to succeed.

Although most people are thinking of their heating systems during the winter months, air conditioning is also important. When installing a new furnace or heating system, make sure the air ducts are also set up to work with your air condition system. Using the ducts for both heating and cooling is the most economical choice.

When purchasing a new HVAC system for your home, be sure it is energy efficient. These days, most new HVAC systems are energy efficient; there is a energy star label on the equipment. However, to be sure your utility costs do not go through the roof, choose equipment that is energy efficient.

When the spring comes and the days begin to warm up, call in a pro to give your HVAC a once over. This will ensure that your air conditioner works as expected all summer long, stopping you from sweating it out when you least expect the system to fail.

Have the HVAC system checked twice a year at the least. The normally recommended time for HVAC system inspections is once before the peak cooling season when it gets hot and you’ll be using your AC, and once before the peak heating season, during the cold months when you’re likely to be using your heat. A quick check is worth it to avoid problems down the road.

Consider all of your alternatives before installing a central air conditioner. You can only cool certain rooms, use whole-house fans, or even make use of a geothermal system. The more efficient the system you set up, the less you’ll spend on utility bills over time as you use it.

Research what size air conditioner you should purchase for the size of your home by using online calculators they have for this purpose. If the unit is too large, it won’t cool more than a smaller unit, just less efficiently. Check the manual it comes with for the information you need.

Use plants to increase your air conditioner’s effectiveness. An AC unit fully shaded by trees and shrubbery can operate up to 10 percent more efficiently. However, do keep spacing in mind. Air flow must not be constricted, and technicians need room to work when they come out to service your unit.

Consider an annual service agreement for technicians to regularly inspect your AC unit. Schedule brief inspections for the winter to make sure nothing is obviously wrong. The most important time for an inspection and service is just before it starts getting warm. You don’t want to discover an AC breakdown when you need it working most.

With all of these great ideas fresh in your mind, go out and find the HVAC help you need. Whether you have to hire a contractor or do the work yourself, your knowledge will get you a long way. All you have to do today is get started on your project!…