From a small puddle under the sink to a freshly discovered leak in the wall, plumbing issues have a unique ability to turn a good day into a stressful one. As a homeowner, it pays to know the basics of plumbing maintenance. Here are seven simple plumbing hacks that will empower you to handle common issues with ease, potentially saving you time and money.
Fixing a Leaky Faucet
Before doing anything else, turn off the water supply to the
faucet by shutting off the valve under the sink. This will prevent any further
water from flowing and help you avoid making a mess. Next, disassemble the
faucet by removing its handle and other components using an adjustable wrench
or pliers. Take care not to damage any parts while doing this.
Unclogging a Drain
One of the simplest and easiest ways to unclog your drain is
by pouring boiling water down it. This method works best for clearing soap scum
and grease buildup in the pipes. First, boil a pot of water and let it cool
slightly for a minute or two. Slowly pour it down the drain in three stages,
allowing each stage's hot water to work its way through before adding more.
Another effective method is using baking soda and vinegar
solution. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain followed by 1/2
cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug or cloth since there will be
some fizzing action happening inside as chemical reaction occurs between baking
soda and vinegar solution for around 30 minutes before flushing with hot water.
If boiling water or baking soda solution doesn't work, then
try using a plunger on your clogged sink or shower drains. Make sure that
there's enough water in the sink or basin to cover the plunger's rubber end
entirely. Then place the plunger over the drain opening and press-down firmly
with quick strokes until you see improvement.
Sometimes hair build-up can be so severe that no other
methods work besides manually removing debris from your shower drain. To do
this, you'll need to remove the drain cover and use a pair of pliers or
tweezers to pull out any hair or debris build-up.
If none of these methods work, then it's time to use a drain
snake. A drain snake is a long flexible tool that can be inserted into the
clogged pipe and twisted to break up the blockage. Push the snake down into the
drain as far as possible, then twist it in a circular motion until you feel
resistance. Once you reach the blockage, keep twisting until it breaks free.
Fixing a Running Toilet
Before you start fixing your toilet, it's important to
identify what's causing it to run continuously. There are several reasons why
your toilet may be running, including a faulty flapper valve, an improperly adjusted
float, or a leaky fill tube. Start by removing the tank lid and observing what
happens when you flush the toilet. Does water continually flow into the bowl?
Is there visible leaking from any part of the tank? Once you've pinpointed the
problem, move on to step 2.
To fix your running toilet, you'll need to turn off the
water supply to the tank. Locate the shut-off valve on the wall behind your
toilet and turn it clockwise until it stops. If you can't find a dedicated
shut-off valve for your toilet, turn off the main water supply for your house
instead.
If your flapper valve is causing your toilet to run
continuously, it's time for a replacement. First, remove the old flapper valve
by disconnecting it from its chain and unsnapping it from its hinges or sliding
it off its pegs. Then replace it with a new flapper in reverse order by snapping
or sliding it into place and reconnecting the chain.
If your float is set too high, it can cause your toilet to
continuously run. To adjust the float level, locate the float and check to see
if it's resting on top of the water. If it is, bend the float arm down slightly
until the float stops at a lower level.
Replacing a Showerhead
Before you begin replacing your showerhead, make sure you
have all the necessary tools and materials. You will need an adjustable wrench,
Teflon tape (also known as plumber's tape), and the new showerhead. Ensure that
the new showerhead matches the size and thread type of your existing shower
arm.
Next, turn off the water supply to your shower by closing
the shutoff valve located near your bathroom. If there is no shutoff valve
present in your bathroom, then turn off the main water supply line to your
home.
Using an adjustable wrench, loosen and remove the old
showerhead from its place. If it doesn't come off easily, use pliers or channel
locks to loosen it further. Be careful not to damage any pipes or fittings
while removing the old fixture.
After removing the old showerhead, clean any debris or
buildup from both the pipe threads and the inside of the new fixture using a clean
cloth. Apply Teflon tape around the threads of your pipe in a clockwise
direction for about three turns.
Screw on your new shower head onto your pipe until hand
tight then tighten with an adjustable wrench until it is securely in
place. Finally, be careful not to over-tighten the fixture, which can
cause damage to the pipe threads.
Dealing with a Dripping Showerhead
Before you start fixing the showerhead, turn off the water
supply to avoid any accidents. You can do this by shutting off the valve on the
main water line or just turning off the water supply knob located near your
shower.
Next, disassemble the showerhead by removing its handle and
faceplate with a screwdriver. Once removed, you'll see a small screw that
attaches the cartridge or stem of the faucet. Unscrew it using pliers or an
adjustable wrench.
Now that you have access to its mechanism, inspect it for
any worn out or damaged parts. Check if there are any cracks in rubber washers
or O-rings, which usually cause leaks in showers. If any of these parts are
damaged, replace them with new ones before reassembling everything.
Once you have replaced any worn-out parts, reassemble
everything in reverse order as before. Tighten all screws properly with pliers
or wrenches but ensure not to over tighten them as it may cause damage.
Finally, test your work by turning on your water supply again and observing if
there is still any leakage.
If you've followed all these steps and still find leakage
from your showerhead after turning on the water supply again, then it might be
a complex issue. It’s better to call professional plumbers as they have the
expertise and experience to deal with such problems.
Silencing a Noisy Pipe
The first step in silencing a noisy pipe is to locate where
the sound is coming from. Typically, plumbing noises are caused by loose pipes
that vibrate when water flows through them. Check all visible pipes for signs
of movement or shaking while running faucets or flushing toilets. You may also
want to listen carefully for the location of the sound or use a stethoscope to
pinpoint it.
Once you have identified where the noise is coming from,
inspect those pipes for any visible damage or looseness. Look for gaps between
pipes and hangers or clamps that may have become corroded over time. Also,
check if any screws or bolts need tightening with pliers or a wrench.
If loose pipes are causing the noise, adding cushioning
material can help absorb vibrations and prevent them from rattling against
other surfaces. Consider wrapping foam insulation around exposed pipes or
securing foam rubber pads between piping and hangers/clamps.
Sometimes high water pressure can cause loud noises in
plumbing systems since it forces water through narrow spaces at high speeds. To
reduce water pressure levels, install pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) at your
main water supply line's inlet point.
If all else fails, calling a professional plumber is always
an option. They can diagnose the issue and provide expert advice on how to fix
it. A licensed professional will have the necessary tools and experience to
resolve even the most challenging plumbing problems.
While these tips can tackle many common plumbing problems,
there are times when professional intervention is necessary. If you feel unsure
at any point during a plumbing repair, it's best to call a licensed plumber.
Remember that some tasks, like dealing with the water heater or whole-home
repiping, require specialized knowledge and should be left to the experts.
Investing in a good relationship with a trustworthy plumber can be invaluable
for those times when DIY methods don't quite hit the mark.
