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You should leave the water dripping when temperatures are below 20 degrees for three hours or longer or your power goes out in the winter. Leave the water dripping until temperatures are consistently above 20 degrees and you’ve checked for frozen pipes. With water movement in your pipes, ice is less likely to form, and your pipes are less likely to burst. The drip relieves pressure, preventing burst and leaking pipes.

The water in your toilet tank refills after each flush. So if you see dirty water in the bowl, you should check the tank to see if it’s coming from there. A dirty toilet tank can be the result of sediment in the water itself—-after all, the water will sit in the tank between flushes and can cause the interior to change into a dingy color. Faulty toilet components, like an old flapper, corroded tank lever or chain, or damaged seals, can also lead to dirty water as the materials break down inside the tank. You can clean the toilet tank or change out the old parts to give it a fresh start.

If the drain is frozen, the pipes connecting to the washing machine are likely frozen. If the hot water trick doesn’t also unfreeze the washing machine pipes, you can gently apply heat with a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Start at the end of the pipe closest to the faucet to prevent pressure from building in the pipes, and make sure the faucet is open to drain the water as it melts.

A washing machine should drain the water used during its cycle through a drainpipe and out through the house’s plumbing. This is the same plumbing that sinks and shower drains run to, and if the U-bend is installed correctly, it shouldn’t smell. The total drainage from the house is then integrated into the city sewer system or, if you’re in the country, dispersed into a septic tank.