Handy Plumbing Tips and Tricks

When trying to carry out plumbing repairs alone, it’s important to know how to start. There are a variety of things to think about including what regulations to follow, which tools to buy, and how much money to set aside.

It’s obvious that common plumbing issues need to be fixed as soon as they occur. Even a small leak can cause a major problem and a water damage can leave puddles of water in the basement.

Knowing a few plumbing tricks and tips can, therefore, help you greatly minimize any possible plumbing damage to your home.

The problem with most plumbing issues is that they have a tendency of occurring at the worst unexpected time. Here are some handy plumbing tips and tricks for homeowners

Top 6 Plumbing Tips

1. Check out for any water leaks

You might not be aware but small water leaks tend to lead huge problems. You need to know that when this occurs more problems may be on the way.

Leaking damp cabinets, faucets, dripping refrigeraters and rocking toilets are all signs that require a decisive and fast action.

Basically, a leaking faucet is not only annoying but the moisture that comes out may encourage mildew and mold to grow.

It’s also important to pull your refrigerators out at least once in a month. Small puddles of water on the floor may also indicate that water is leaking soaking in.

2. Turn off the water

If you don’t know where the leak is coming from, it’s important to turn off the water source so that you can prevent any further leaking.

The main shut out valve is usually found next to the water meter which is located underground. Remove the cover and turn it off.

If there is a secondary valve, you will find it in the basement. Instead of removing your tiles, just turn off the water lines.

If you can manage to find the secondary shutoff then it means the leak could have been caused by a washer or bad gasket once the water has been shut off check out the stem and replace the affected part.

3. Sink and toilet clogs

While slow-moving drain may not appear to be serious, the longer you leave it unattended the worse it will become. If your bathroom or drain seems to be under pressure chances are they have been blocked.

Since using chemicals can damage the pipes, you need to use the draining products as a last resort. For toilets and sinks, use plungers to remove the particles from your drains.

If you think that it’s hair or grease clog, you may just push them deeper into the drain. If the situation is worse, use a snaking tool to clear the drain.

This is very effective for toilets that have serious blockages. They have handles that you can extend to remove the clog.

4. Fix the running toilet

If you have a running toilet then it can be fixed from the tank. Do not attempt to flush a blocked or clogged toilet since you might find that either the flapper has worn out or the water is too high.

To lower the tank float, remove the lid. You can do this by sliding the rod or turning the adjustment screw. Here are few steps to follow

• Turn off the valve located below the tank.
• Remove the rubber flapper.
• Remove the chain found in the rod.
• Dry the drain.
• Install a new chain and flapper.
• Inspect the toilet and adjust the valve to ensure flushing is easier.

5. Be careful about your garbage disposal

Cleaning your sink’s garbage disposal can prevent many plumbing issues and extend the life of your sink. If your garbage disposal begins to stink, run citrus ring and dish detergent through the circle to make it smell fresher.

To prevent any blockage, regularly check any overflows. When the sinks start to fill up, overflow water diverts water. When you are making your regular checks make sure you clean overflow holes.

More so, whenever you run your garbage disposal run your faucet with cold water. However, you need to avoid using drain cleaners regularly since these types of cleaners might be corrosive.

In case your sink is still clogged, you might need the services of a professional plumber.

6. Replace washers

Rubber washers generally control the pressure of water. Sometimes it’s important to replace them when you are having plumbing issues. Here is how to go about the process

• Shut off the valve.
• Remove the cap.
• Remove the screw.
• Remove the handle to access the valve.
• Remove the valve.
• Replace the washer.
• Screw the valve back and tighten it.
• Replace the handle and the cover.
• Turn on the water and check if there are any leaks.

Wrap up

While these are some of the handy plumbing tips and tricks for homeowners, there are times when you will not be able to fix the issues alone.

When you think that you may do harm to your pipes then it’s time to call a professional plumber. Otherwise, you just need to do some research and look for the most effective way to fix the problem.