You may be flushing your money down the toilet and not even know it. Twenty percent of all toilets leak, which secretly raises homeowners’ water and wastewater bills. But other problems – like a toilet that won’t flush completely or runs continuously – aren’t secret at all. Take a whirl at inspecting your toilet. It’s more convenient and less expensive to systematically check the plumbing yourself, before you have to call in the professionals to take care of a …

When colder weather starts hitting the air, it is time to think about preparing your home for the holidays-mulching the gardens, digging out decorations, and reviewing the condition of your plumbing system. Yes, you read that right: The last months of the year happens to be the busiest time of the year for plumbers, says Don Glovan, a Mr. Rooter owner in Asheville, North Carolina. “During holiday season, you’ll have guests in your house,” he observes. "With all the extra …

As a homeowner, you are not legally permitted to perform your own renovation work, with the exception of the electrical, but it is strongly recommended amateurs not do this as disastrous results can occur.