If your garbage disposal is beginning to act up, or has completely stopped working, there are some simple steps which you can take to identify and fix the problem before calling in an expensive plumber, or replacing the unit. Many times the unit is simply jammed, or has some other fixable problem.

If the drain repipe icemaker wire is positioned correctly and is turned on proceed to check the freezer temperature. The temperature should be within the range of 0 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit. If it's above 10 to 12 degrees, your machine will not produce ice.

With a putty knife, carefully scrape the remaining parts of the wax ring from the area. Clean the spot so that the new wax ring will be level. Place a new wax ring on the opening and replace the toilet. Bolt it back onto the floor, reconnect the water line repair supply tube and watch for leaks as the water is turned back on.
 

After you have the stems out you should be able to find the washer on the "inside" end. If it is nicked, torn or brittle it is likely the cause of your drip. Even if it looks brand new, go ahead and replace it. You've already come this far. You can get replacement washers at almost any hardware store. Sometimes you may want to replace the whole stem, especially if the handle end is stripped out. It's best to just take the stem with you to the store and see if you can match it up. Most Do It Yourself stores have replacement stems for many popular brands. If your valve has a center diverter valve to switch the waterfrom the tub spout to the shower head the same process applies. Many times it is easier to replace the diverter stem than to repair it. This really depends on the design of the stem.

Dishwasher. To check water leakage on your dishwasher, you will need several sheets of paper placed underneath the machine before operating it. When the machine stops, check the sheets of paper you placed underneath to see it they are wet. If so, call a maintenance person to repair the leak immediately. It is important also for you to remember that regular dishwasher uses 15 gallons on every wash load. Make sure that when you use it, the load is full.

Keep an eye on any leaks in and around the house. Inspect taps, pipes and your roof regularly. Watch for leaks and if you find them, get it water line repair as soon as possible.

The work area should always be clean and free of trash and clutter. The cleaner and less clutter there is in a Plumbers' work area, the better able a plumber will be to make sure that his job goes as smoothly as possible.

Especially with older plumbing systems, a leaky pipe is like an alarm, signaling that other pipes may also be on the brink of failure. To get a grip on whether your plumbing system can last, a professional plumber may send a remote camera through your network. If any pipes are about to break, the camera will give you a heads up. If your entire plumbing system is outdated and weak, it may be best to simply replace the whole thing. Although this can be a costly enterprise, with a price tag of at least a couple of thousand dollars, the upside is that a new sewer line will reliably perform its duty for decades to come.