Water Leak DetectorsInexpensive water leak detectors can save you a lot of money and trouble by alerting you to small household leaks before they become a major problem.
Reuse Garden Hose for Hot Water TankCut a length of hose from the end that you screw onto the tap. Make it long enough to reach your laundry tubs from the hot water tank faucet.
Do Simple Repairs YourselfOver the years, I have challenged myself to be pretty self sufficient. I started growing gardens, baking my own breads, sewing my own curtains and clothes and even cutting my family's hair!
Cola as Homemade Drain CleanerI use Coca-Cola to clear clogged drains. Just pour a 2 liter bottle slowly down the drain. Follow with boiling water 1/2 hour later. You can also use generic cola.
Use Flyswatters as a Drain FilterDon't throw away old flyswatters. They are great drain filters for the bathtub or sink in a pinch.
Cheap and Easy Low Flush ToiletAlmost all toilets can be easily retrofitted to allow a extra low flush by adding some plumbers putty to the inside of a hollow flapper which most 'cheap' toilets have. This makes the flapper heavy and not allow it to float.
Alternatives for Thawing Frozen Water PipesAs already mentioned above home frozen pipes could be thawed with the help of a hair dryer. However below follow some useful alternatives:
Bleach for Unclogging DrainsTo unclog a sink, tub or toilet, pour a bottle of bleach in the water over the drain and let sit. Check back in a few hours and it should be drained. Then run some hot water for a few minutes down it.
Saving Energy On Hot WaterHere are some tips from the U.S. Department of Energy for making your hot water use more efficient.
Insulate Outdoor Water Pipes EarlyWe had an unusually cold snap during the last few days in Houston. Many folks had pipes which burst. Others were outside in their cold weather gear wrapping pipes and covering outdoor faucets.
Fixing Stinky PipesThe plumber put one trap on two sinks. The piping after the sink and before the trap started to stink. My solution was to place a trap on each sink, close to the sink itself, and pipe the two traps together after the discharge of the traps.
Finding Frozen Spot in PipesWhen we lived in a mobile home years ago, our water pipes were exposed under the trailer. The first year we were there we didn't know about heat tape so our pipes froze. Since they only freeze in one area, we had to find the frozen part.
Keeping Drains ClearI dump my used coffee grounds in the sink drain and follow with water. It's almost like sand blasting the pipes. I have never had drains plugged up because of it. Everyone in my family who has his or her own kitchen does it with no ill effect.
Outside Faucet Cover for Freezing WeatherAll you need are styrofoam cups, an empty 2 liter pop bottle and tape. We are in a big cold snap right now and my local Home Depot was sold out of faucet covers, so I came up with an even better idea.
Turning Off Water When on VacationWhen going away for a vacation, etc. remember to turn off the water to your house. It's better to be safe than sorry. A pal's neighbor found out the hard way.
Installing New SinksReplacing a sink in your home is a fairly quick and easy job. Look for a new sink roughly the same size as you are replacing...
Check the PlumbingIf you do any replacement work on your plumbing, double check the job the next day, a week later, a month later to make sure that no leaks develop.
Reserve Water Heater TankWhen my old hot water heater broke, the unit went but the tank was still good. I didn't throw it out but I used it for a reserve tank.
Saving Electricity - Maintain Your Water HeaterMY electric bill dropped thirty dollars last month when I changed the heating elements and put a cover on my hot water heater. The lower element was burnt out so the upper had to work overtime, plus the loss of heat because of no cover. Live and learn.
By Reta
Thawing Frozen Water PipesIf your water pipes freeze and you have no torch, try a hair dryer to thaw them out or even a heating pad.
By Robin
Cleaning A Well Water FilterThe filter for our well water is about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. About every 2 months or so our water stops flowing and we have to change it with a clean one. They are expensive and it is hard to remove the rust and hard water sediment.
Shut Off The Main Water Valve When You Go On VacationGoing on vacation? Be sure to turn off the main water shut off valve where it comes into the house. Also turn off the hot water heater. It's best to anticipate a "what if" than return to a flooded house.
Keeping Pipes from FreezingIn areas with freezing temperatures, if you don't have your pipes wrapped, you can leave your inside faucet dripping (just a small trickle will do, from the furtherest faucet from the water pipe entrance of your home) while you're sleeping so your water lines won't freeze and burst.
By Terri H.
Frugal Drain CleanerBuy a box of baking soda and a bottle of vinegar, dump the soda in your drains, followed by vinegar, let bubble out about 15 minutes, then run clean water down sink.
