Plumbing problems can be a major headache for homeowners, but they don’t always need to be. A little know-how can help you save time, money and frustration by fixing common plumbing issues yourself.
Be sure to protect your hands and arms when working with sharp tools or in tight spaces. Also, be mindful of what goes down your drains, such as food scraps, hair and soap residue.
Fix a Leaky Faucet
A leaky faucet can be annoying and costly, but it’s also fairly easy to fix. First, you’ll want to turn off the water supply to the faucet. You can usually find the valve under the sink, or you may need to shut off the main water valve to the house. Next, remove the faucet handle by unscrewing the set screw with a screwdriver or pulling it off with a tool (like a faucet handle puller). Be careful not to lose any small parts.
Once the handle is removed, you can inspect the inside of the faucet for the source of the leak. Most often, the problem is with the O-ring or washer, which can become worn out from constant contact with water and other components in the faucet. You can replace these easily by removing the old ones and installing the new ones. It’s a good idea to clean the parts with white vinegar as you’re removing them, which will help prevent future water sediment build-up that can lead to more leaks.
Fix a Clogged Drain
Clogged drains are among the most common plumbing issues that homeowners experience. They can cause a wide variety of problems, from minor inconvenience to serious damage and expensive repairs.
Luckily, many drain clogs are easy to fix. The first step is to turn off the water in your home to prevent flooding and overflowing toilets and sinks. Then, use a plunger to see if you can dislodge the clog and restore proper drainage.
If the plunger doesn’t work, try pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to break up the clog and clear it away. You can also try a drain snake, which is available at most home improvement stores.
If you have a severe or persistent drain clog that snaking and plunging don’t solve, call a plumber, especially one with extensive knowledge much like the Lexington plumbers. Persistent drain clogs can lead to sewage back-up and other expensive plumbing problems. If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener to reduce the buildup of minerals that can clog your drains and pipes. You can also prevent clogs by regularly cleaning your drains, using a hair trap in the shower and bath, and avoiding flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper.
Fix a Leaky Pipe
Water leaks are one of the most dangerous plumbing issues homeowners face. They can cause severe damage in a short amount of time and lead to costly repair bills. As a homeowner, you should check your pipes regularly to look for signs of leaks or wear and tear. If you do happen to discover a leaky pipe, there are several quick and easy fixes you can try before calling a plumber.
To fix a leaky pipe, you’ll need to shut off the water supply first. After that, you’ll want to clean the area thoroughly and remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with your repairs. Then, use a rubber patch with a hose clamp to seal the leak. Choose a hose clamp that’s the same size as your leaky pipe and tighten it evenly for a secure seal. If you want a more permanent solution, you can also install a slip coupling on the end of the damaged pipe. This will require more work, but it’s still a very doable DIY project.
Fix a Broken Water Heater
We all know that hot water is a necessity, but when your water heater goes down it can be a huge problem. A failing water heater could start leaking and flood your home, or worse, explode and create a fire hazard.
Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to fix a broken water heater. The first step is to turn off your water supply line. This is located at the bottom of your water heater and looks like a spout. To shut it off, just turn the valve clockwise.
Next, you’ll want to drain your tank. To do this, locate the drain valve on your water heater (typically on the top on the cold water line) and open it. Connect a garden hose to the valve and run it outside, making sure that the other end of the hose is in an outdoor environment for drainage. Finally, use joint compound or Teflon to wrap the threads on your replacement valve and screw it into place. Screw it as tight as you can manually, and then finish with a wrench to ensure that it’s as tight as possible.
Fix a Clogged Toilet
While minor clogs can often be resolved by homeowners using a plunger, serious or persistent clogs require more advanced tools. While learning basic plumbing fixes is an excellent way to save money and avoid expensive professional services, it’s important for homeowners to recognize when a problem is beyond their abilities and call in an expert.
Attempting to solve severe clogs can cause further damage to your pipes, so it’s important to contact a professional plumber, and a very professional one who would be similar to the Lexington plumbers, as soon as possible. However, before you do, try the following easy DIY fix:
Start by pouring hot (not boiling) water down your toilet drain. This can help lubricate the clog and make it easier to dislodge. After several minutes, add a few squirts of dish soap to the mixture. This can help break down hair and other soft obstructions that may be causing the clog.
For a more powerful solution, try adding half a cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar to your clogged toilet. The chemical reaction between the base and acid will help to dissolve even the most stubborn clogs.
Fix a Leaky Washer
A puddle of water on the floor after doing laundry could mean you have a leaky washer. Before calling a plumber, it’s important to try a few DIY troubleshooting steps first. First, make sure the power and water supply to the washing machine are turned off. Then, check the hoses and connections for damage and make sure they are tight and secure. You can also check the drain pump to ensure it is not clogged with debris or a serious clog.
If your washer is leaking during the fill or agitation cycle, there may be a damaged tub seal that needs to be replaced. Leaks from the back of the washer are often caused by loose or broken internal hoses that need to be replaced. Finally, if your washer is leaking around the drain during the spin cycle, it likely means the drain pipe is clogged and will need to be unclogged. A professional should be consulted if the problem is more severe or involves an electrical component like a water valve or pressure switch.
Fix a Clogged Drain Pipe
A clogged drain or pipe can be extremely frustrating, but if plunging, poking around and chemical drain cleaners have failed to do the trick, it’s time to call your local plumber for help. Deep clogs can force water back into your home’s pipes and cause serious damage. Luckily, there are a few advanced plumbing tools that can quickly and easily clear these more severe blockages.
Start by removing the foot plug or drain cap and taking a look inside. If the obstruction is visible, remove it by hand or using a tool like a wire coat hanger (just make sure you’re wearing gloves!). If the clog is deeper in the drain line, a plumber’s snake may be required. These tools have a coiled cable with a crank handle, which you feed down the drain while cranking to break up or dislodge the blockage and pull it out of the pipe.
To prevent clogs, be mindful of what goes down your drains and use mesh strainers to catch larger debris. You can also schedule routine maintenance to keep your drains clear and running smoothly, such as regular vinegar soaks for showerheads and faucet aerators and whole-home water filters that reduce mineral buildup in your pipes.
Fix a Leaky Toilet
A leaky toilet is a serious plumbing problem that can lead to rotting floor boards, mold growth, and costly water damage. Luckily, it’s also one of the easiest plumbing fixes for homeowners to do on their own.
This repair is simple, inexpensive, and can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in water bills. A leaking toilet is often caused by worn-out flappers that don’t seal the way they should. To test whether your flapper is causing the leak, drop some food coloring into the tank and see if it shows up in the bowl.
You can fix the leak in a few easy steps by turning off your water supply and draining the toilet. Next, remove the toilet and clean the flange with a toilet cleaner to remove any buildup. Finally, replace the wax ring and put the new bolts in place before setting the toilet back down. Make sure to tighten the bolts gently, as over-tightening can crack the porcelain. Now that you know how to fix a few common plumbing problems, keep up with regular maintenance to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Be mindful of what goes down your drains, regularly clean your faucets and showerheads, and monitor your water pressure to identify any issues early on.