DIY Plumbing Problems You Can Fix Yourself
Water is an essential aspect of our lives, but water is also one of the costliest and most destructive forces with regards to the damage it causes to our homes. With this destructive nature of water comes the need to understand when you can fix a plumbing issue yourself and when it is the right time to call in a professional.
Here are basic plumbing problems you can handle yourself
- A slowly dripping faucet
A steady dripping sound from the faucet does not only cost you money, but it can also be a very annoying sound to hear. This constant drip means that the washer in the faucet needs replacement. Just stop the water to the faucet and unscrew the handle. Inspect the washer and O-ring for any damages. You might need to replace the washer and reassemble. If the dripping continues, you may have loose parts or broken plumbing and might need to call a professional to fix any of your faucet problems.
- A showerhead trickle
If you notice a shower head that sprays water in funny directions or has water flowing in a particular part, you might have a limescale build-up on the spray plate or the shower plate and shower head. Try taking off the shower head and spray plate and soaking them in a scale removing solution. Your showerhead should begin to function correctly once you place it back.
- A gnarled garbage disposal
There are a lot of things that happen to your garbage disposal causing it to come to a sudden halt. Try resetting it using the button at the base of the disposal (reset button). If this does not solve the problem, try using an Allen key to turn the disposal to dislodge the clog manually.
- A running toilet
This happens when water continues to flow into the bowl of your toilet after you flush. This occurs as a result of a problem with the liver located inside the tank behind the bowl. To fix this, remove the lid of the toilet, find a chain sunk at the base of the tank and attach it to the lever attached to the toilet handle. If the chain is damaged, it might need replacement.
- A clogged drain
Compared to the popular choice of chemical drain cleaners used by a majority of people, there is a better and cheaper alternative in salt, baking soda and hot water as this better clears’ clogs lodged deep into pipes which are too large for solvents to clear.
Here are some plumbing situations best left to professionals
- Water heater malfunction
Water heaters emitting odors, making strange sounds and leaking water are all reasons to call a professional as water heaters not functioning correctly can be a safety and health hazard.
- Burst pipes
Severe changes in temperature can cause water pipes to burst to pour lots of water into the home. If your pipe bursts, immediately turn off the main water valve and call a professional.
- Clogged sewer lines
The most significant and most important piece of plumbing in the home is the main sewer line. A sewer line clog or collapse is best handled by a professional to diagnose and fix sewer line issues.
- Sump pump failure
The sump pump is the homes first line of defense against a high-water table during massive rainy or snowy event. If this fails, you could face a flooded basement as well as expensive water repairs. A sump pump needs not only to be repaired when damaged but adequately maintained and serviced.
Conclusion
Solving the plumbing problem is not the issue but knowing what is to be left to professionals and what can be personally done is the issue. Find a plumber you trust and make your plumbing problems become a thing of the past.
