subject: The Basics Of Home Plumbing Repairs [print this page] The plumbing system is one essential home system that can break down from time to time. Fortunately, there are some repairs that homeowners can do on their own. For more serious problems, homeowners should call a professional plumber. Below are a number of tips to the basics of home plumbing repairs:
Clogged Water Drains: To clear a clogged, sink, bathtub, or shower drain, there are a few effective methods of clearing the clog. Using a sink plunger is an effective way to clear a clogged drain. You just have to fill the sink with enough water to cover the head of the plunger. Then, place the plunger over drain hole and push hard on the plunger repeatedly until the clog pushes through and water starts flowing again. There are also chemical drain cleaners that will break up the clog. You have to make sure the chemical cleaner you use will not damage the pipes. You can also make a homemade drain cleaner that consists of pouring 1 cup of baking soda with 3 cups of hot water into the drain. The chemical reaction will break up the clog. For tough clogs that are deep in the drain pipes, you can use a sink auger that you slide through the pipes until you reach the clog. You can then grasp the clog and break it up into smaller pieces until it is small enough to be pushed through with hot water. Once a week run hot water into the drain to keep it clear.
Clogged Toilets: Clogged toilets can be a frustrating experience. One usual method of clearing the blockage is using a toilet plunger the same way you use a sink plunger. There are also toilet snakes that you can feed through the septic line to locate the clog and manually break it apart. There are also bacterial enzyme products that you pour down the line that will digest and break up the clog.
Dripping Faucets: A faucet that is constantly dripping can be an aggravating experience. You can normally fix a leaking faucet by replacing the washer. A leaky faucet should be fixed as soon as possible so that you do not waste water and drive up your water bill. Repairing immediately will help prevent further damage to the fixtures and faucets.
Shower Head Deposits: When there is an accumulation of mineral deposits on the shower head, it can cause a reduction in the amount of water coming out. To fix this problem, just place cup of vinegar in a plastic bag and place it over the shower head. Leave it overnight. This will break up the deposits. Make sure you thoroughly rinse out the showerhead to clear out all of the sediment.
Cleaning Aerator: A dirty aerator can cause low water pressure or water leaks. You can clean the aerator by unscrewing the aerator from the faucet. Take the aerator out and use a small brush that has been dipped in vinegar and scrub it to remove the sediment. Once thoroughly cleaned and rinsed, reinstall the aerator.
There are some plumbing repairs homeowners can do on their own. However, there are certain plumbing problems that can be hazardous to fix so it is essential that you call in professional plumbers for serious problems. By regularly maintaining your plumbing system, you will reduce the incidents of plumbing problems and ensure your plumbing system and its components work efficiently for a long time. Getting an annual inspection by a qualified plumber is an important part of maintaining the plumbing.
