Simple, general maintenance that anyone can do to save a great deal of money, reduce water damage and inconvenience.

Yes...

1. The first thing to do in an emergency such as a burst water main or pipe (where possible) is to turn off the water at the mains. By doing this you know that there is a limit to how much damage will be caused, how much water will be wasted and how bad the plumbing emergency will get.

2. Where you have pipes exposed to the outside or cold temperatures, insulate them. This is fairly easy to do and is relatively inexpensive when compared with the cost of dealing with pipes that burst.

3. Gently warm frozen pipes with a hair dryer. The key word here is gently, so as not to crack the pipes.

4. Toilets use a large proportion of the water in any home and it is important to check them for leaks from time to time. The easiest way to do this is to use a colored liquid or dye in the toilets' water tank. Leave it for a while and if you see colored water appear in the toilet bowl, you have a leak that should be dealt with.

5. Even if you don't live in an area known for hard water, it makes sense to periodically de-scale your kitchen appliances (kettle, washing machine, dishwasher), water heating systems and water pipes. This can easily be achieved without a great deal of expense and will extend their lifespan and hence save you money in repairs and replacement. Washing machines and dishwashers will require less detergent, showering and bathing will require less soap and shampoo and you should notice that your boiled water tastes better too.

No...

1. Don't pour very hot liquids into the toilet or the bowl may crack.

2. Don't flush any material other than toilet paper. Clogging a toilet will cause it to overflow and even sewer back-flush.

3. Planting trees or other plants with large root systems near water or sewage pipes can cause pipes to move and break.

4. Don't pour oils or fats down the kitchen's drain or sinks. This is the equivalent to cholesterol build-up in arteries: it can cause all sorts of problems.

5. Don't ignore that leaking tap or pipe. It will continue to waste water and money and it WILL get worse. Deal with it right way before it turns into a costly emergency.