DIY Quick Fixes For 5 Common Plumbing Problems
You’re busy and have a million things on your to-do list. So you don’t have extra time to worry about plumbing issues that arise in your home. The good news is many problems can be fixed quickly and easily.
Here are our DIY tips for five common plumbing issues.
Problem: Toilet constantly running
If you hear the toilet tank refill with water well after its last flush, it’s the sound of money going down the drain. Instead of installing a whole, new toilet, there’s probably a small part inside the tank that needs to be replaced.
DIY solution:
Look inside the tank and inspect the following parts that have rubber pieces that tend to wear out over time – toilet fill valve, flapper, flush valve. Replace these parts and you should start saving water right away.
Problem: Sink faucet has low water pressure
Is it taking you longer to wash your hands or dishes than it used to? You’re not imagining it – your faucet may have lower water pressure.
DIY solution:
If you notice equally low pressure for hot and cold water, your best bet is to replace the aerator. This is a small part that mixes air with water to conserve water. If you have hard water, mineral deposits can form on the aerator, slowing the flow of water going through it. Replace the aerator and your faucet should work like new.
Problem: Bathroom draining slowly
Soap. Dirt. Hair. Body oils. Those are just a few of the things that end up going down the bathroom sink drain. So it’s not a huge surprise that the mixture can collect in the pipes and start to form a clog. Early on, the sink will drain slowly but eventually it will get completely backed up.
DIY solution:
At the first sign of a slow sink drain, it’s a good idea to retrieve whatever is causing the clog. First, remove the pop-up stopper. You may need to unscrew the nut that holds the pop-up under the sink. Clean off any gunk that may be accumulating on the base of the pop-up. Next, use a Zip-It tool to pull up any hard or solid material that is stuck in the trap of the drain.
Problem: Tub draining slowly
Have you noticed that you’re standing in dirty water while taking a shower? If your tub drain is flowing slowly, the most likely cause is a clog in the trap, which is the U-shaped part of the pipe below the drain.
DIY solution:
Remove the stopper and insert the Zip-It tool down the drain. If you pull up a big clump of hair, there’s a good chance that will fix the clog. You can also try using a plunger to push the blockage through the trap. If you go with this approach, be sure to seal the overflow drain hole first.
Problem: Garbage disposal jammed
When the blades of the garbage disposal get stuck, the most likely explanations are that a hard object went down the drain or the unit is getting worn out.
DIY solution:
Your garbage disposal should have a special key that can be inserted at the bottom of the garbage disposal. This will turn the motor so you can unjam the disposal. If you can’t find the key, an Allen wrench will also do the trick.
Professional plumbing in Murrieta and Winchester, CA
When you come across these common plumbing issues, it’s worth spending a few minutes to try to remedy the problem yourself. But if these DIY tips don’t do the trick, it may be time to call in a professional plumber.
At Liberty Plumbing, we have over 25 years of experience and treat every customer like family. For quality plumbing service, call us today at (951) 760-4215.
